Unbroken Lines of Resilience: Feathers, Fibre, Shells, a new FREE exhibition bringing together some of Australia’s most renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female artists opens on the first day of NAIDOC Week, Sunday July 8, at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this exhibition includes names and artwork of deceased people.
Unbroken Lines of Resilience: Feathers, Fibre, Shells, a new FREE exhibition bringing together some of Australia’s most renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female artists opens on the first day of NAIDOC Week, Sunday July 8, at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
“Because of Her, We Can!” is the theme of this year’s NAIDOC week (8-15July) celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s contribution to their community, families, and our rich history and nation.
The new exhibition showcases the work of leading female practitioners in their fields of weaving and shell stringing. The innovative works highlight the unbroken practices of our First Nation women who have carried their deep cultural connections and knowledge systems down through the generations for at least 65,000 years.
The exhibition includes intricate and beautiful body wear and adornments which have been skillfully crafted by harvesting and processing organic and contemporary feathers, fibres and shells. It also features domestic fishing implements made from organic material.
Artists featured in the exhibition include Lena Yarinkura, Dulcie Greeno, Maryann Sebasio, Muriel Maynard (deceased), Ais Bero (deceased), Lola Greeno, Mavis Warrngilna Ganambarr and Rosemary Gamajun Mamuniny.
Aside from the exhibition the museum will also celebrate NAIDOC Week with Saltwater Sunday Celebrations (Sunday July 8) where museum-goers can try their hand at weaving at a special workshop given by Peta-Joy Williams, a Wiradjuri woman and Sydney based artist. Workshops are held at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
The fun, free all-day event offers creative and cultural activities for all of the family from 10am-4pm. It includes lively performances, bush tucker demonstrations, face painting, art making and dress ups for children and a Saltwater Kids Trail through the museum’s Gapu-Monuk exhibition.
Visitors can also cruise on board the Tribal Warrior’s Mari Nawi to Be-lang-le-wool (Clark Island) while enjoying stories of the Cadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people of Sydney Harbour and take part in an Aboriginal cultural performance. The cruise takes place from 2pm-4pm, tickets are $20 per person and bookings are essential.
Phone: 02 92983645 or 0418219841
Notes to Editors
Gapu-Monuk Saltwater: Journey to Sea Country tells the powerful story of the Yolŋu people of North-East Arnhem Land, their fight for recognition of Indigenous sea rights and Blue Mud Bay legal case. The exhibition centers around 40 Yirrkala bark paintings from the Saltwater Collection, created by the Yolŋu artists who petitioned for sea rights by painting their Saltwater Countries onto bark, and revealing sacred patterns or designs known as Miny’tji. The exhibition is open daily, 9.30am–5pm, until February 2019. Entry is free.
Unbroken Lines of Resilience: Feathers, Fibre, Shells, a new FREE exhibition bringing together some of Australia’s most renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female artists opens on the first day of NAIDOC Week, Sunday July 8, at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
“Because of Her, We Can!” is the theme of this year’s NAIDOC week (8-15July) celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s contribution to their community, families, and our rich history and nation.
The new exhibition showcases the work of leading female practitioners in their fields of weaving and shell stringing. The innovative works highlight the unbroken practices of our First Nation women who have carried their deep cultural connections and knowledge systems down through the generations for at least 65,000 years.
The exhibition includes intricate and beautiful body wear and adornments which have been skillfully crafted by harvesting and processing organic and contemporary feathers, fibres and shells. It also features domestic fishing implements made from organic material.
Artists featured in the exhibition include Lena Yarinkura, Dulcie Greeno, Maryann Sebasio, Muriel Maynard (deceased), Ais Bero (deceased), Lola Greeno, Mavis Warrngilna Ganambarr and Rosemary Gamajun Mamuniny.
Aside from the exhibition the museum will also celebrate NAIDOC Week with Saltwater Sunday Celebrations (Sunday July 8) where museum-goers can try their hand at weaving at a special workshop given by Peta-Joy Williams, a Wiradjuri woman and Sydney based artist. Workshops are held at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
The fun, free all-day event offers creative and cultural activities for all of the family from 10am-4pm. It includes lively performances, bush tucker demonstrations, face painting, art making and dress ups for children and a Saltwater Kids Trail through the museum’s Gapu-Monuk exhibition.
Visitors can also cruise on board the Tribal Warrior’s Mari Nawi to Be-lang-le-wool (Clark Island) while enjoying stories of the Cadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people of Sydney Harbour and take part in an Aboriginal cultural performance. The cruise takes place from 2pm-4pm, tickets are $20 per person and bookings are essential.
Media inquiries:
Michele CamilleriPhone: 02 92983645 or 0418219841
Notes to Editors
Gapu-Monuk Saltwater: Journey to Sea Country tells the powerful story of the Yolŋu people of North-East Arnhem Land, their fight for recognition of Indigenous sea rights and Blue Mud Bay legal case. The exhibition centers around 40 Yirrkala bark paintings from the Saltwater Collection, created by the Yolŋu artists who petitioned for sea rights by painting their Saltwater Countries onto bark, and revealing sacred patterns or designs known as Miny’tji. The exhibition is open daily, 9.30am–5pm, until February 2019. Entry is free.