Our Team

Dr Vanessa Russ, Director of Indigenous Collections

Vanessa is a Ngarinyin/Gija woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. She's dedicated to providing visionary leadership within the arts and culture sector, with a particular interest in the visual arts. Focusing on cross-disciplinary practices that enhance the rematriation of Aboriginal Australian cultural knowledge to communities of origin for future generations; whilst celebrating the benefits of understanding the world's oldest living cultures for all Australians.

Alex Bowen, Interim General Manager

Alex Bowen has extensive experience in the creative industries and cultural sector as a senior executive spanning the three tiers of Government, including: cultural investment; arts advisory and policy making; cultural programs; and major events. Alex specialises in executive management, strategy and planning, cultural infrastructure development, project management, business modelling, change management and creative problem solving.

Christopher Durkin, Repatriation Manager

Chris has worked with and for remote Aboriginal Art Centres since 2000 in varying roles. He is dedicated to supporting Indigenous cultural self-determination.

Lara Dykun, Permissions & Access Co-ordinator

Lara has experience working in a range of arts and cultural institutions and in First Nations led contexts. Skilled in collection management and stakeholder management she has held roles at Artbank, Arts Centre Melbourne, Museums Victoria and most recently as Strong Business Program Manager for Desart. In this position she worked closely with remote Aboriginal communities, frequently visiting art centres across the NT, WA and SA to support their artistic, cultural, social and economic aspirations. For Lara, it is a privilege to be engaged in deeply meaningful work within the Indigenous Collections team, supporting access for communities of origin. Lara is based in Melbourne.

Rosita Holmes, Manager, Community Connection Art & Culture

Rosita has been working with community-controlled remote Aboriginal art and culture centres in Northern Australia since 2011. Initially trained in visual arts, she collaborates with artists and cultural practitioners to support artistic practice, community-led governance, and the long-term sustainability of the remote Indigenous art and culture sector. Rosita believes in supporting culture at its roots and acknowledges the unique intercultural work undertaken by remote artists and their art and culture centres. Rosita is based in Darwin.

Shanysa McConville, Associate Curator

Shanysa is a proud Eastern Arrernte woman from Mparntwe (Alice Springs), with curatorial experience at the University of Melbourne. She is currently working on the major exhibition 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art with Professor Marcia Langton AO and Senior Curator Judith Ryan AM, which will open at the Ian Potter Museum of Art. She is dedicated to understanding the Indigenous art and cultural material housed at the University and to acquire unique works the completement these collections. In addition to her curatorial roles, Shanysa teaches into the Indigenous Studies programs at the University of Melbourne and Deakin University. Shanysa is based in Melbourne.

Ashley Perry, Repatriation Co-ordinator

Ashley has worked across the university and cultural sector over the past decade. His research interests lie in the histories of repatriation within Australia and Internationally, and the historical collecting practices used by university and museums. Ashley teaches into the Victorian College of the Arts, Art School programs at the University of Melbourne. Ash is based in Melbourne.