CANBERRA.- The National Gallery of Australia presents a new large-scale projection and sound-based work by Grace Kemarre Robinya, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Tangentyere Artists for the 2026 Enlighten Festival.

From 27 February to 9 March, the National Gallery has commissioned the National Indigenous Art Triennial artists to present Kukawarra kwatja, pmara nhanhanama marra inthurra, soft rain, strong Country, 2025-26, for the annual event that lights up Kamberri/Canberra. For 11 nights only, the digital work will transform the National Gallery’s façade into an immersive story of rain, regeneration and rebirth.

Showing daily from 8–11pm, the free illumination is presented to coincide with the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain. Drawing on the Mpartntwe/Alice Springs-based artists’ deep relationship with Country, kinship and cultural knowledge, soft rain, strong Country evokes a desert landscape renewed and reborn after rain.

The work for Enlighten expands on the artists’ collaborative installation currently on display in After the Rain– combining Robinya’s expansive rain painting that spans 11 canvases with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists’ renowned sculptural forms. At its heart is the most ambitious soft sculpture ever created by Yarrenyty Arltere Artists– Beautiful Ulkumanu (old woman), after the rain (2025) – which audiences will see brought to life through the projection. Stitched from recycled wool blankets and standing on painted sewing machine feet, Ulkumanu is an Ancestral woman who walks on Country bringing life, bush foods and renewal.

In the 5-minute illumination, a cyclical narrative takes place, where Ulkumanu awakens from the rainclouds painted by Robinya, walks through Country, scatters seeds before resting again beneath blossoming flowers. Mirroring Central Desert weather, rain engulfs the building, stitching ripples across Ulkumanu’s body, birds burst from raindrops and native plants emerge. These vibrant depictions of Country are accompanied by a layered soundscape of rain, birdsong and recordings of the artists’ voices in language who narrate the creative journey of Ulkumanu as she brings Country to life.

Adam Ford, Nyoongar (Menang/Goreng) peoples, Curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery: ‘This work immerses audiences in a luminous sense of abundance as they encounter Beautiful Ulkumanu (old woman) bringing Country to life after the rain on the exterior of the National Gallery. Grounded in the cultural and environmental importance of rain and its regeneration of desert Country, this vibrant work celebrates the enduring joy of family, Community and the magic of renewal and continuity.’

Since 2019, the National Gallery has partnered with leading Australian contemporary artists for Enlighten, with previous commissions by Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinji/Kuku-Yalanji peoples) in 2019; Club Até in 2020; Joan Ross in 2021; Daniel Crooks in 2022; The Mulka Project in 2023; Vincent Namatjira (Western Aranda people) in 2024; and most recently Lindy Lee in 2025.

Dr Nick Mitzevich, Director, National Gallery: ‘The National Gallery’s iconic building offers a unique canvas for large scale digital commissions. Each year, Enlighten brings thousands of visitors to experience bold and ambitious works of art across our façade. This year, we are honoured to illuminate the building with the powerful and joyous work of Grace Kemarre Robinya, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Tangentyere Artists.’

Kukawarra kwatja, pmara nhanhanama marra inthurra, soft rain, strong Country is presented for the 2026 Enlighten Festival and made possible through the continued generosity of First Nations Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts.