Works by National Indigenous Art Triennial artists are set to be presented by the National Gallery of Australia as part of 2026 Enlighten Festival.

The new large-scale projection and sound-based work by Grace Kemarre Robinya, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Tangentyere Artists will be presented through Kukawarra kwatja, pmara nhanhanama marra inthurra, soft rain, strong Country.

For 11 nights from 27 February to March 9 the digital work will transform the National Gallery's façade into an immersive story of rain, regeneration and rebirth for the annual Canberra event.

Showing daily from 8-11pm, the free illumination is presented to coincide with the 5th National Indigenous Art Triennial: After the Rain.

Drawing on the Mpartntwe/Alice Springs-based artists' deep relationship with Country, kinship and cultural knowledge, soft rain, strong Country evokes a desert landscape renewed and reborn after rain.

"This work immerses audiences in a luminous sense of abundance as they encounter Beautiful Ulkumanu (old woman) bringing Country to life after the rain on the exterior of the National Gallery," National Gallery Curator, First Nations Art, Adam Ford, said.

"Grounded in the cultural and environmental importance of rain and its regeneration of desert Country, this vibrant work celebrates the enduring joy of family, Community and the magic of renewal and continuity."

In the 5-minute illumination a cyclical narrative takes place, where Ulkumanu awakens from the rainclouds painted by Robinya, walks through Country, scatters seeds before resting again beneath blossoming flowers.

Mirroring Central Desert weather, rain engulfs the building, stitching ripples across Ulkumanu's body, birds burst from raindrops and native plants emerge.

The vibrant depictions of Country are accompanied by a layered soundscape of rain, birdsong and recordings of the artists' voices in language who narrate the creative journey of Ulkumanu as she brings Country to life.

National Gallery director, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said the National Gallery's iconic building offers a unique canvas for large‑scale digital commissions.

"Each year, Enlighten brings thousands of visitors to experience bold and ambitious works of art across our façade, Dr Mitzevich said.

"This year, we are honoured to illuminate the building with the powerful and joyous work of Grace Kemarre Robinya, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Tangentyere Artists."

Enlighten expands on the artists' collaborative installation currently on display in After the Rain — combining Robinya's expansive rain painting which spans 11 canvases with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists' renowned sculptural forms.

At its heart is a sculpture created by Yarrenyty Arltere Artists — Beautiful Ulkumanu (old woman), after the rain (2025) - which audiences will see brought to life through the projection.

Stitched from recycled wool blankets and standing on painted sewing machine feet, Ulkumanu is an Ancestral woman who walks on Country bringing life, bush foods and renewal.

Kukawarra kwatja, pmara nhanhanama marra inthurra, soft rain, strong Country is made possible through the continued generosity of First Nations Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts.

Enlighten Festival will be held from Friday 27 Feb to Monday 9 Mar 2026 daily from 8-11pm.