Entanglements with Fungi: Discover the Hidden Kingdom at WAMA in Gariwerd

Entanglements with Fungi

Beneath our feet lies a vast, living network that shapes forests, sustains ecosystems and quietly connects every form of life. This autumn, WAMA Foundation invites visitors to explore that unseen world in its newest exhibition, Entanglements with Fungi: Life, Death and Renewal.

Opening on March 21 at the National Centre for Environmental Art, this groundbreaking exhibition brings together multidisciplinary artists to examine the mysterious Kingdom Fungi through art, science, history and politics.

A Multi-Sensory Journey into the Fungal Underworld

Set within the spectacular foothills of Grampians National Park, also known as Gariwerd, WAMA offers a distinctive cultural destination that merges contemporary art with environmental awareness.

Entanglements with Fungi: Life, Death and Renewal explores the cycles of growth, decay and regeneration that define the fungal realm. Neither plant nor animal, fungi form vast underground networks that support food systems, enable forest communication and contribute to pharmaceutical innovation. Despite their critical ecological role, they remain widely misunderstood and increasingly vulnerable to human impact.

Through immersive installations, visitors are encouraged to imagine perceiving the world through non-human senses and to reconsider humanity’s place within Earth’s ecological web.

Art, Science and Ecology Intertwined

Entanglements with Fungi

The exhibition features an extraordinary mix of traditional and experimental works. Highlights include sculptures formed from local earth and materials produced through fungal recycling processes, paintings derived from scientific data tracking mushroom growth, and an artist’s book stretching eight metres across the gallery space.

Digital projections recreate the forest floor in striking detail, while sound installations capture the subtle vibrations of tree roots and soil. Live experiments integrate sensors that track the movement of growing fungi, offering a rare glimpse into biological processes normally hidden from view.

Curator Felicity Spear explains that the artists challenge audiences to imagine seeing, hearing or even smelling through the nurturing exchanges between species. The exhibition positions human culture not as separate from nature, but as deeply intertwined with Earth’s hidden ecological systems.

International and Australian Artists Unite

The exhibition showcases a powerful lineup of artists working at the intersection of art and environmental inquiry. Exhibiting creatives include UK environmental artist Chris Drury, sound artist Vicki Hallett, environmental photographer Alison Pouliot, and collaborative book and digital collage artists Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison.

Other contributing artists include Sam Leach, Chris Henschke and Debbie Symons, alongside Spear herself.

Together, their works form a compelling narrative about life beneath the forest floor and the urgent need to protect fragile ecological networks.

A Unique Cultural Destination in Regional Victoria

Entanglements with Fungi

WAMA, located within a 16-hectare precinct at Gariwerd, integrates contemporary art with natural landscapes. The site also includes the Gariwerd Endemic Botanic Garden and Jallukar Native Grasslands, creating a powerful blend of cultural tourism and environmental education.

As Australia’s only institution dedicated exclusively to the intersection of art and the environment, the National Centre for Environmental Art positions regional Victoria as a leader in eco-conscious cultural experiences.

For travellers seeking immersive art exhibitions in Australia, WAMA offers a rare opportunity to connect deeply with both landscape and creative expression.

Exhibition Launch Events

Two special events will mark the opening of Entanglements with Fungi.

• Café Champignon: Fundraiser and Book Launch with Alison Pouliot

Friday 20 March at 6pm
Inspired by the French tradition of Café Philosophique, this fundraising evening explores the fungus kingdom through stories and science. Guests will enjoy a mushroom-inspired supper and receive a signed copy of Pouliot’s book Underground Lovers. Tickets are $100, including a $40 tax-deductible donation. Bookings are essential.

• Mushroom Masterclass with Alison Pouliot

Saturday 21 March, 10am to 12.30pm
This hands-on workshop introduces participants to mushroom identification, edible species recognition and ecological observation techniques. Tickets are limited and priced at $75.

Plan Your Visit to WAMA

Entanglements with Fungi

Entanglements with Fungi: Life, Death and Renewal offers a powerful exploration of biodiversity, sustainability and interconnection. Combining art, science and sensory immersion, it is set to become one of Victoria’s most thought-provoking exhibitions of the year.

For travellers seeking cultural experiences near the Grampians, WAMA provides a compelling reason to explore regional Victoria while engaging with urgent environmental themes.

WAMA – National Centre for Environmental Art

Location: Gariwerd/Grampians, Victoria, Australia
Website: https://wama.au/

Email: info@wamafoundation.com.au

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