Gertrude is pleased to announce the 26th iteration of Octopus. Octopus is an initiative focused on platforming new modes of curatorial practice and exhibition-making methodologies, inviting independent and external curators to research and develop a major group exhibition and its composite public and performance programs.

In 2026, Octopus has been developed by an international curator for the first time. Curated by Krisna Sudharma, a contemporary art historian and writer, and the founder and director of Nonfrasa Gallery in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. The relationship with Sudharma forms out of Gertrude’s two-year partnership and engagement with DESA (now DESA Projects), organising a program of month-long research residencies for Australian and international artists from 2023 to 2025. This project will continue, evolve and deepen the connections between Gertrude, Nonfrasa Gallery and DESA Projects, and connect contemporary art practices from Bali, Indonesia and Australia.

Octopus 26: Melange creates a new model for international exchange through evolving curatorial collaboration, and inter-organisational sharing and cooperation. Distinct from importing an exhibition by Balinese and Indonesian artists, instead, this project takes focus on the modes with which these three unique organisations and initiatives have worked and continue to work, and intersects practices from Bali, Indonesia and Australia. The project draws on through-lines between a range of practices form these distinct yet neighbouring contexts, that already have a degree of connectivity and familiarity.

The Octopus series of exhibitions has been supported by Proclaim since 2002. Octopus 26: Melange is supported by DESA Projects, Kemenbud and MTN.