The V&A will present the Rising Voices exhibition celebrating contemporary art from the Asia-Pacific
The Victoria and Albert Museum will present Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific, a major exhibition celebrating contemporary artistic practices across the Asia Pacific region. Developed in partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, the exhibition will bring together more than 70 works by over 40 artists from 25 countries, many of which have never been shown outside the region. Drawing on more than three decades of QAGOMA’s influential Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, the exhibition highlights the diverse cultural voices shaping contemporary art today.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The exhibition will explore the artistic and cultural richness of a region that is home to around 60 per cent of the world’s population. Works across sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, weaving and body adornment will foreground First Nations perspectives while reflecting the region’s interconnected and evolving cultures. At the entrance, a life-sized sculpture by Michael Parekōwhai titled Kapa Haka (Whero)(2003) introduces themes of identity and representation through its portrayal of a Māori security guard confronting persistent stereotypes.
Arranged across three thematic sections, the exhibition examines how artists respond to history, tradition and belief systems. Re-Visioning History explores political narratives such as migration, conflict and colonial legacies through works by artists including Pala Pothupitiye, Naomi Hobson and Michael Cook. Enduring Knowledge focuses on artistic practices rooted in ancestral traditions and materials drawn from the natural environment, with highlights including shell jewellery by Lola Greeno and porcelain works by Ah Xian.
The final section, Evolving Faith, considers the role of spirituality and religion in contemporary art across the region. Works such as Nomin Bold’s painting Labyrinth Game and a monumental sculpture by Montien Boonma reflect how belief systems continue to shape artistic expression today. Through these diverse perspectives, Rising Voices offers a powerful exploration of how artists across Asia, Australia and the Pacific engage with history, community and identity while contributing to a broader global dialogue.
Date: 30 May – 13 September 2026. Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL. Price: from £17. Book now
