Discover life beyond study with a year-round calendar of cultural events at Kambri.

Art and culture have long enhanced the intellectual atmosphere of ANU for students, staff and the wider community alike, and with the opening of Kambri came plenty of opportunities to enjoy the arts without stepping off campus.

The design of a range of event spaces – both large and small – was a central focus in the planning of the precinct. From the intimate Drama Theatre to the purpose-built 305-seat cinema to the magnificent 1000 concert capacity Manning Clark Hall or the wide-open spaces of University Avenue, the outdoor amphitheatre, or the lush lawns, there’s a place that’s perfect for every type of event.

Providing a diverse range of activities and programs – literally something for everyone – has also cemented Kambri as a cultural attraction in its own right; a place that is both welcoming and accessible to the general public.

Many activities on offer are free, including:

• Meet The Author talks with ANU, The Canberra times and Harry Hartog Booksellers (past guests include Shaun Micallef, Andrew Leigh, Tony Jones, Karen Viggers, Jane Caro and Dr. Karl)
• Music On The Greens
• Fitness on the Greens
• Saturday DJ sessions
• Kambri Film Fest
• Classics at Kambri car show

There is also a wide variety of ticketed events including world-class live music acts (Kurt Vile, The Tea Party, The Chats and Birds of Tokyo to name a few), a Family Film Fest, Shakespeare by the Lake, TEDx Talks, plus recent release movies shown in the cinema by the ANU Film Group.

aMBUSH Gallery houses a regularly rotating calendar of free art exhibitions, plus artist talks (past guests include Reg Mombassa and David and Noni Cragg), a weekly Art Bar, DJ workshops and meetups for the Queer Society.

There’s also plenty of rich Indigenous history to be found on campus as well as public art to be discovered, all accessible via the ANU Walk app.

At various times of the year ANU students also have exhibition opportunities to showcase their art projects and studio work.

Kambri has opened up the university to many different groups and people, with arts and culture that provides a unifying force and makes life at ANU even more lively and enjoyable.

There’s always something inspiring happening, so stay tuned to social media to see what’s coming next to Kambri!

Find artistic treasures large and small as you stroll around Kambri, where art and the community are brought together.

Reflect, relax, and be inspired as you explore the Kambri precinct, where you can choose to participate actively or passively in the rich display of public artworks.

Featuring significant Indigenous paintings, noteworthy sculptures and a Sidney Nolan masterpiece, the diverse selection of art at Kambri attests to a culture that values creative thinking.

When the Kambri precinct was opened in February 2019, one of the major highlights was the grand reveal of Sidney Nolan’s seminal artwork, Eureka Stockade, a striking 20-metre long mural that is recognised as one of Nolan’s largest and most ambitious works.

The install was nothing short of monumental, with the work made up of 66 copperplate panels that depict the Battle of the Eureka Stockade, which took place on the Ballarat goldfields in December 1854. The medium of enamel on copper invokes the volatile, incendiary quality of those infamous skirmishes.

The artwork was donated to ANU by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which commissioned it to adorn the foyer of their head office in Melbourne when it was completed in 1966. Now hanging in the Manning Clark Hall in the Kambri Cultural Centre, visitors are able to view the work during non-teaching periods.

Also located in the Cultural Centre, hanging prominently in the foyer, are 10 large works that are part of Indigenous artist Naata Nungurrayi’s epic 155 piece collection titled Iconography, completed between 2011-2014 when she was in her early eighties.

Naata’s Iconography series consists of large-scale line drawings in black paint inscribed on to canvases primed with a resplendent ruby red. This series marked a break with her earlier style, with no elaboration, filling-in or dots. The paintings reflect the most elemental experiences of living with the earth, with the artist deliberately exposing the bare bones of her “Dreamings” and reducing them to their essential lines. Also of significance is the fact that Naata is one of the few women who have the authority to represent aspects of the Tingari story, which is normally the prerogative of men.

Another Indigenous work of note is much more recent – the magnificent Kambri Ground Map is a sculpture created by Wellspring Arts, which was installed in a prominent public section of Kambri in time for the precinct’s opening in early 2019.

The Ground Map is a stunning visual depiction of significant Indigenous sites from the local area. Wellspring Arts were honoured to be entrusted by the Ngunawal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri Elders to bring their vision to fruition. The Ground Map portrays valleys that are criss-crossed with ancient pathways that are still enormously important today.

The plethora of artworks in the vibrant public realm ensure Kambri will remain a learning, events and leisure destination for generations to come.

Eighteen months after their opening, Kambri’s venues have transformed the live music scene for ANU and the wider Canberra community.

From underground house shows to the legendary big name concerts at the old ANU Bar (think Nirvana, going down as one of the best gigs to ever grace our nation’s capital), Canberra’s live music scene has always found ways to thrive.

Kambri was designed as the living heart of ANU and a place to generate activity and buzz, the likes of which Canberra has never before experienced.

Since its opening in February 2019, Kambri has provided an amazing live music venue where big acts come to play. Its purpose-built venues feature the latest in technology and design.

Manning Clark Hall is a magnificent major events space within the Cultural Centre, the Manning Clark Hall has retractable tiered seating, staging, and full production capabilities, enabling it to double not only as a theatre for public lectures and major concerts, but also as a dining hall for large-scale celebratory events. With a capacity of up to 1000 in concert format and 350 with the tiered seating in place, it has the capabilities of host a wide array of events. It is also the home of the magnificent Sidney Nolan mural, Eureka Stockade, donated to the ANU by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

T2 is a multi-use and multi-capacity space that can be configured for 220 people in stadium seating format or 300 in standing concert format. Though smaller than the Manning Clark Hall, this theatre also features a retractable seating system, a front stage area, plus lighting and sound production capabilities.

Cinema features 305 comfortable plush seats, a 10-metre wide screen and an immersive 7.1 surround sound system, watching films at the Cinema at Kambri has never been better! The cinema is ideal for film festivals, screenings, lectures, product or media launches, and special events.

The Drama Theatre is a vast creative space located on the ground floor of the Kambri Cultural Centre. It holds up to 150 people in various seating formats and features a removable stage, lighting and sound production capabilities, making it perfect for small concerts.

The spectrum of acts offered is strong and diverse, catering for a wide range of styles and ages, and providing a safe and accessible place for people to attend.

Some of the most prominent artists to perform at Kambri so far include:

Birds of Tokyo: Unveiling their first pieces of new music in over two years at their Kambri gig, Birds of Tokyo showed why they’re one of Australia’s most popular contemporary rock bands, with an ARIA Award for Best Rock Album to their name.

Kurt Vile: The popular American singer and songwriter supreme brought his backing band, The Violators to Canberra with special guests, RVG. One of the most critically and commercially acclaimed artists of the last decade, Kurt Vile released Bottle It In in late 2019.

Pub Choir: It’s wholesome, joyful, and everyone is in bed by 9:30pm! Pub Choir finally came to the ACT – it’s where best mates gather to have a happy yell-sing together in three-part harmony. The audience brought the voices and the smiles; Pub Choir did the rest.

Hot Chip: Described by The Guardian as “the greatest British pop group of their generation”, audio adventure addicts Hot Chip will make their triumphant return to Australia in 2020, locking in a huge party show at Kambri as they immerse themselves in the warm praise surrounding their latest album A Bath Full Of Ecstasy.

The Beasts of Bourbon with The Johnnys: After an emotional final performance with the Beasts of Bourbon, Tex Perkins got the band’s members, past and present into a recording studio to see what resulted. The Beasts Still Here was the loud and proud tour!

The Chats: Forming in 2016, this young Australian punk rock band soon experienced huge success, best known for their song Smoko and its music video that went viral. Fresh from touring the US, they played songs from their first two EPs and their studio album, Identity Theft.

Northlane: Off the back of a huge sold-out national headline tour, Australia’s elite metallers Northlane announce the 4D regional tour. The tour sees the band hitting up the Nation’s capital, Canberra with special guests Gravemind and local triple j Unearthed winners.

The Tea Party: Iconic Canadian rockers The Tea Party headed back to Australia and brought their genre-defying career to selected intimate venues across Australia, showcased a treasure trove of songs from across their incredible catalogue.

Meg Mac: Australian Singer-Songwriter Meg Mac brought her Give Me My Name Back tour to Kambri. The first track taken from Meg Mac’s latest record is a compelling rallying cry about reclaiming identity, dignity and self-worth. “This song is about standing up for yourself. It’s for everyone who has lost an important part of themselves, which they need to reclaim in order to move forward with their lives,” she says.

As Canberra’s newly minted live music destination, Kambri has provided a major shakeup for the entertainment scene and breathed new life into the industry – stay tuned because there’s a lot more to come!

Take a virtual look at David and Noni Cragg’s exhibition, ‘Mirrung’, shown at aMBUSH Gallery, Kambri.

aMBUSH’s current exhibition has been digitised! You can now view ‘Mirrung’ from the comfort of your home. 

David and Noni Cragg are Sydney-based artists – a brother and sister duo inspired by their First Nations, Scottish and Irish background – who have combined their styles and talents for this unique exhibition.

Mirrung – meaning ‘belonging’ in Dharug, the Sydney language – is a vibrant show featuring rainbow-hued portraits of over a dozen Australian creatives, working across a variety of fields.

Their choice of subjects was a deliberate attempt to showcase the range of cultural backgrounds that make up Australia, and question the concept of what it means to be ‘Australian’, as well as explore notions of belonging, community, representation and intersectionality.

Also featured in the exhibition are solo works by David depicting dreamy Australian landscapes with radiant flora and fauna.

A classically trained painter, Noni studied at the National Art School in Sydney and has exhibited in a number of solo and group shows, developing a reputation for her intricate portraits.

David has a long background in graphic design and street art, having worked with some of Australia’s leading artists in this area, and studying at Bradfield Design College and the Design Centre in Enmore.

The pair have been painting and drawing together since they were children and have previously collaborated on shows, but this is their largest to date.

They worked collaboratively on the pieces displayed in ‘Mirrung’, each bringing their individual strengths and expertise to the portraits.

‘Mirrung’ is the first in a series of joint projects they have lined up, aiming to amplify diversity, First Nations narratives and connection to country.

In addition to viewing the works online here, you can watch an entertaining interview with David and Noni here where they discuss being emerging artists, exciting plans for the future, and the meaningful portraits that make up ‘Mirrung’.

Following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Kambri is open to the community and visitors to enjoy … in a safely distanced way!

The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed our lives. Being in isolation for almost two months during the national lockdown has shaped our experiences as students, employees, business owners, customers, friends, family members and citizens.

The great news is that it’s finally time to get back to life in a ‘COVID-19 safe’ world, and Kambri has adapted to the new and evolving needs in order to service the precinct’s community of ANU staff, students and visitors.

Many of the usual activities we were used to enjoying – going to the gym, shopping at leisure and eating out at restaurants and cafes – are no longer prohibited, though some restrictions still apply and there will be changes to the way we participate in them.

You can expect higher rates of cleaning across the precinct as well as less access to and use of communal items. Venues will also be reopening at a reduced capacity to ensure social distancing guidelines are adhered to, and there will be an increased focus on alfresco dining, which aligns perfectly with the design of Kambri, with its spacious outdoor areas.

We welcome the reopening of the following food and service retailers:

For specific trading hours, please click here

FOOD

Asian Tiger
Azure Dragon
Ballistic Burrito
Chatime
Coffee Lab
Craft Beans
Daily Market
Gangnam Lane
Hot Star
Kebaba
Nosh
Mamas Palms
Rex Espresso
Sushi Smith
The Campus Bakery
What The Pho

SERVICES

aMBUSH Gallery
Club Lime
Commonwealth Bank (Atm Only)
Harry Hartog
National Health Co-Op
University Pharmacy
Z Cosme

Kambri is aligned with and guided by ANU, and over the coming months we will be following government directions in terms of lifting restrictions and adhering to policies.

Above all, it’s important for everyone to stay healthy and safe. You can do your part by:

• following the restrictions on gatherings
• maintaining a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres from others
• practicing good hand hygiene

We look forward to welcoming you back to Kambri – settle in and get your fix of whatever it is you missed the most – the caffeine/food/gym/gallery/bookshop awaits!

Reg Mombassa (aka Chris O’Doherty) returned to Canberra to close his summer blockbuster exhibition – ‘Psychedelic Realism’ – at aMBUSH Gallery.

During a fascinating series of artist talks for students and the general public – held at Kambri in February 2020 – Reg Mombassa reflected on his early life, his interests, the themes in his work, his decorated career, and his latest exhibition, ‘Psychedelic Realism’, which enjoyed a three-month run at aMBUSH Gallery, Kambri.

The conversations were facilitated by Ruth Waller, an ANU School of Art and Design Professor, and Joseph Nuttal, an ANU School of Art and Design student.

‘Psychedelic Realism’ was a mammoth exhibition showcasing over 70 of the Sydney-based artist’s diverse pieces and consisted of his favoured forms and themes – suburban and rural landscapes, graphic works and absurd allegorical narratives.

Produced and presented by aMBUSH Gallery, and co-curated with Reg himself, the show was a dynamic collection of paintings, drawings, digital prints, etchings, and posters, created with mediums including acrylics, oils, charcoal, crayon, pencil and mixed media.

Visitors were able to see firsthand Reg’s incredible talent played out across the huge body of works: traversing the thoughtful and serene to the bizarre and ridiculous, as well as everything in between that happens to have crossed his unique mind.

Some works were completed as recently as late 2019, while others reach back through the decades to his days as a student, inspired by exploring the natural world around him, then later with his work for Mambo, which was often driven by the surrealist theory of free association.

The subject matters were wide-ranging and encompassed self-portraits (including the Archibald-nominated ‘Self-portrait with high pants’), and many recognisable and venerated characters from his prolific days as a Mambo artist, including Australian Jesus and Space Monster, plus robots, suburban houses, and landscapes inspired by his childhood in New Zealand and drives through the Australian countryside.

His plein air charcoal drawings and portraiture reveals a contemplative creative spirit that was often ignited while travelling the world with his popular rock band, Mental As Anything.

‘Psychedelic Realism’ was a dreamlike journey through landscapes, absurdity and sheer magic that made viewers thrill to the power of art again, thanks to the inimitable Reg Mombassa (aka Chris O’Doherty), one of Australia’s most loved and renowned artists.