A new multi-sensory exhibition by Manningham residents Ben Street and Christobel Elliott is set to transform the Manningham Art Gallery into a dreamlike space of light, sound and stillness from early February.
Before words, there were rainbows – A cosmic light and sound journey through the beyond opens Wednesday 4 February and runs until Saturday 2 May 2026. The debut collaboration invites visitors into a surreal, shifting environment where the boundaries between human, animal, time and nature begin to blur.
At the centre of the exhibition is a four to five-minute looped projection that fills the gallery with colour and movement. Street’s vibrant artworks are animated by artist Sue Wegener, with technical support from illuminart Stories in Light, while Elliott’s electronic soundscape wraps the space in immersive audio.
Manningham Mayor Councillor Jim Grivas said the exhibition highlights the strength of local creative talent. “We have so many talented artists right here in Manningham, and we are thrilled local residents like Ben and Christobel can share their artistic vision with the community,” Cr Grivas said.
The experience encourages visitors to slow down. A large-scale projection, spatial sound and optional meditative activities invite people to sit, watch and listen, creating space for reflection somewhere between sleep and waking.
“Viewers can piece the story together from various clues and there may be different ways to interpret it. I wanted to create a calming environment that transports visitors into a zen-like state” said Ben Street.
For Elliott, sound is the emotional anchor of the work. “Sound is one of our universal languages because it bypasses cognition and evokes emotion and memory, making it a powerful storytelling tool,” she said. “I wanted the soundscape to feel dreamy and atmospheric, while pulsating sounds maintained a grounded momentum throughout.”
Before words, there were rainbows is showing at Manningham Art Gallery, MC Square, 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster. More information is available at manningham.vic.gov.au/Rainbows.
