Two people in traditional clothing standing on a beach as the waves break behind them.

Gapu Ŋupan (Chasing the Rainbow)

Tickets

Presented by Asia TOPA, Arts Centre Melbourne in association with Lucy Guerin Inc

Gapu Ŋupan (Chasing the Rainbow)Rachael Wallis, Banula Marika and Suming Rupi

From deep quiet and stillness, in the barest light, the Morning Star falls to the water, and transforms. The djarrak (seagull) and the lailai (eagle) call. We hear your voices, mingled with theirs.

Dates

27 February 20251 March 2025

Venue

Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne

World Premiere.

Gapu Ŋupan is a must-see Asia TOPA performance bringing together tradition with contemporary culture.

Featuring song, dance, atmospheric sound design and large-scale visuals, this powerful and joyous new First Nations commission transports you onto Country.

Created over five years of cross-cultural collaboration, Gapu Ŋupan has been made by extraordinary Yolŋu, Paiwan and Amis artists from North East Arnhem Land and Taiwan.

Witness the rekindling of ancient ancestral connections between First Peoples, spanning ocean and imagining a stronger, First Nations-led future. Gapu Ŋupan resounds with pride in culture and deep nourishment in spirit and connection.

Australian Government |  DITRRDCA
Playking Foundation
Rirratjingu
Robert Salzer Foundation
SBW Foundation
The Mulka Project
Creative Australia

Images: Samuel James

“We want audiences to walk away feeling the spirit of both cultures and the spirit of our relationship. We want to reach out and connect and exchange with the world. We want our audience to go away feeling our friendship and our unity. Relationship is the foundation of sustainability and our growth for the future."

— Rachael Wallis, Banula Marika and Suming Rupi