Since its Indianapolis launch in 2021, THE LUME has been fully immersing Newfields guests in moving pictures and sound to create a moving and memorable visitor experience. “Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians” is the latest presentation in a string of exhibits that have highlighted the works of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Salvador Dali.

THE LUME “Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians Newfields

Open since May 10, “Connection” puts the spotlight on 100 contemporary Indigenous Australian artists, seamlessly linking more than 500 paintings, stories, and photographs centered around the elemental themes of land, water, and sky. A soundtrack by Indigenous Australian musicians proves the perfect complement to the visual material.

LUME “Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians signage Newfields Indianapolis

Grande Experiences, the company that originally partnered with Newfields to establish THE LUME as a permanent gallery on the museum’s fourth floor, teamed up with The National Museum of Australia to produce this show to celebrate the oldest continuous tradition of artmaking in the world. All told, the 30,000-square-foot space incorporates 120 state-of-the-art projectors and synchronized music for a multi-sensory adventure.

Cafe Ngura “Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians Newfields Indianapolis LUME

A small interactive room off the main exhibit space evokes watery river currents, allowing the scenery to shift as guests move through the beams of motion cameras in the ceiling. Engaging even more senses, Café Ngura (which translates to "country" or "home") serves a taste of Australia with a thoughtfully curated menu of teas, pastries, and light meals made with indigenous spices and ingredients.

“Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians LUME activity room Newfields Indianapolis

As with past LUME shows, the art and technology room gives guests a chance to get hands-on, this time by coloring illustrations of kangaroos, platypus, and kookaburras to scan and add to digital collages on both walls. On the way out, make sure to admire several Indigenous Australian bark paintings from the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s permanent collection, step into the night sky infinity room, and browse the gift selection for souvenirs to take home.

“Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians the LUME Newfields Indianapolis

“Connection: Land, Water, Sky – Art & Music from Indigenous Australians” runs until February 2026. For more information, go to discovernewfields.org.