This winter, Sydney audiences can experience a remarkable new exhibition by Dharug artist Billy Bain. ‘By the River’ opens at the Art Gallery of NSW on 4 July 2026. The exhibition presents Bain’s first major project at a state art museum. Drawing inspiration from the migration of the long finned eel, Bain explores themes of movement, belonging and cultural return. The journey from saltwater to freshwaters mirrors his own reconnection with Dharug Country and ancestral knowledge.

Raised on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Bain developed a deep relationships with the ocean through surfing. His artworks connect coastal landscapes with the fresh water systems of the Dyarubbin, or Hawkesbury River. Through these environments, he was able to reflect on identity, memory and place. The meeting of fresh and saltwater is a powerful metaphor for Bain’s process of reconnecting with the stories and culture of his ancestors, the Boorooberongal people.

The exhibition features a bold collection of new sculptures and paintings. Bain combines indigenous storytelling, contemporary experiences, and observations of surf culture. His works reimagine rivers and beaches as living indigenous spaces filled with history and cultural strength.

Running until November 2026 in the Art Gallery’s Naala Badu building, ‘By the River’ offers a moving exploration of connection to Country. Through powerful storytelling and contemporary art, Billy Bain invites visitors to reflect on culture, resilience, and the enduring relationship between people and place.

If you are interested and want to know more details visit: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/billy-bain/ .