Weaving a cultural connection across generations

Published on 12 April 2018

The Koorie Heritage Trust presents Weaving the Waterways: Women and Fishing, an exhibition curated by Wadi Wadi, Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri artist Glenda Nicholls at Mildura Arts Centre.

This unique exhibition runs from Thursday 19 April until Thursday 14 June and showcases traditional Aboriginal net-making, which Glenda said came to her in a vision from her ancestors.

She said it was this vision that inspired Weaving the Waterways: Women and Fishing, which is an exhibition of river-life, featuring baskets, ochre nets, scoop nets, fishing lines, hooks and bird nets.

The works demonstrate a continuous and evolving link with techniques passed down through generations of Aboriginal women living in and around south-east Australian waterways.

While drawn from functional design, the objects are imbued with a deep cultural significance beyond the practical, weaving a connection across the generations of women still living on river country.

“It’s interesting to see how storylines are being shared and the passing of weaving and craft knowledge is carried into future generations through the works of the artists featured in the exhibition,” Cr Modica said.

“The participating artists are Glenda Nicholls, Clair Bates, Donna Blackall, Deanne Gilson, Georgia MacGuire, and Bronwyn Razem, and in the exhibition you can see how they demonstrate their techniques and practices using weaving, painting with ochre, ceramics and flower-making to showcase traditional techniques from previous generations.

“I encourage everyone to get along to the exhibition opening on Thursday 19 April, and if you are interested in learning the art of feathercraft – book into the Artist Talk and Feather Flower workshop facilitated by Glenda on Saturday 21 April from 10.30am.”

Weaving the Waterways: Women and Fishing

Koorie Heritage Trust

Guest Curator Glenda Nicholls

Exhibition Opening: 6pm, Thursday 19 April

Exhibition: Thursday 19 April – Thursday 14 June

Artist Talk and Feather Flower Workshop

Glenda Nicholls
Saturday 21 April

Talk 10.30am – 11am and Feather Flower Workshop 11am – 1pm.

Feather-craft is Glenda Nicholls’ life passion and carries a storyline handed down by her elders and ancestors. This gives her connection to country. Participants can learn the craft of making feather flowers. Bookings are preferred.

For more information, interview requests and images contact Helen Piscioneri at Mildura Arts Centre at helen.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au or on (03) 5018 8330.