This June, the Samstag Museum of Art at the University of South Australia will welcome visitors to its much-anticipated 2025 Kudlila season. Meaning “winter” in Kaurna culture, the Kudlila program introduces two captivating exhibitions showcasing diversity, innovation, and cultural significance.
Running from 20 June to 26 September, the season includes Frank Bauer’s illuminating solo exhibition and the thought-provoking group exhibition, North Terrace: worlds in relief. Together, these displays promise to captivate art lovers with their contemporary interpretations of history, resilience, and the sculptural form.
Frank Bauer’s exhibition of metal and light
Celebrating a career that spans 45 years, Adelaide-based artist Frank Bauer debuts a new body of work focusing on the dynamic potential of metal and light. German-born Bauer, who is renowned for his expertise as a designer, jeweller, silversmith, and sculptor, continues to pioneer his craft through large-scale sculptural works emphasising themes of movement, longevity, repetition, and change. His artistic legacy also includes a striking collection of fine art prints, offering collectors and enthusiasts a new way to experience his evolving vision.
His global reputation is firmly established, with works held in collections at prestigious institutions such as London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Berlin’s Bauhaus Archive, and Australia’s very own National Gallery of Victoria. This latest exhibition invites viewers into a space where light meets form, creating a mesmerising interplay that reflects Bauer’s unceasing innovation.
Academics and art enthusiasts alike can look forward to an accompanying catalogue essay penned by Associate Professor Carolyn Barnes of Swinburne University of Technology, which will offer further insight into Bauer’s creative process and remarkable legacy.
North Terrace: worlds in relief
On the second level of the Samstag gallery, independent curator Jasmin Stephens has assembled a stimulating group exhibition that re-examines a familiar yet layered cultural landmark. North Terrace: worlds in relief explores Adelaide’s iconic North Terrace, a boulevard often associated with its colonial architecture and cultural institutions. Yet, this exhibition uncovers its deeper significance, revealing it as a site of both dispossession and resilience for the Kaurna people.
Anchoring the exhibition is Narungga poet and activist Natalie Harkin’s evocative work Cultural Precinct, which confronts the lingering effects of colonialism and Aboriginal resistance. Harkin’s poignant words set the tone for an exhibition that challenges viewers to reconsider the histories engrained along the terrace.
The exhibition brings together a diverse array of artists, including Sydney-based Andrew Burrell, Adelaide locals Allison Chorn and Louise Haselton, and the Bathurst- and Singapore-based ArtHitects. Through sculpture, moving image, and design, these artists cast a reflective and critical lens over the boulevard’s layered narratives. To add further depth, artworks from UniSA’s Architecture Museum collection are also woven into the exhibition.
An event to mark the season’s launch
To celebrate the unveiling of the Kudlila season, a launch event will be held on Thursday 19 June from 5pm to 7pm. The evening will feature opening remarks by esteemed architect Karl Fender OAM, co-founder of AFK Studios, providing guests with a unique perspective on the intersection of art, culture, and design.
Plan your visit
The Samstag Museum of Art is situated at UniSA’s City West campus, a convenient 15-minute walk from Adelaide’s city centre. Visitors can also take advantage of the free city trams running daily. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, making it an accessible and welcoming venue for all art enthusiasts.
Whether you’re drawn to Bauer’s luminous explorations of form or the multifaceted narratives of North Terrace, the 2025 Kudlila season offers a powerful blend of artistry, history, and cultural commentary. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in these inspiring exhibitions and experience the richness of storytelling through sculpture, design, and light.
For additional information about the exhibitions and events, visit the Samstag Museum of Art’s website.
Image Credits:
Andrew Burrell, Miners Journey, 2025, still from video, courtesy of the artist.
Frank Bauer in his studio, 2025, photography by Sia Duff, courtesy of the Samstag Museum of Art.