Lismore Regional Gallery will celebrate NAIDOC Week with Deadly Weavers, a vibrant four-day exhibition and pop-up sale showcasing the work of local First Nations weavers and fibre artists working on Bundjalung Land.
9 July to 12 July
Organisers say, ‘Running from Thursday 9 July to Sunday 12 July, Deadly Weavers celebrates the strength of cultural knowledge, creativity and community through contemporary Bundjalung weaving’.
‘Visitors will have the opportunity to meet artists, purchase unique handmade works and experience one of the Northern Rivers’ most active and dynamic creative communities. There will also be drop-in weaving workshops happening from 1pm – 3pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – all are welcome.
‘Deadly Weavers has grown out of the Gallery’s monthly Gathering Space weaving group, which has become an active place for cultural sharing, learning and creativity over the past 18 months.
‘The Gathering Space group is offering opportunities for visitors to experience weaving and purchase directly from the artists. The beautifully crafted works reflect on tradition, evolution and continued connection to culture.
Project Facilitator Kylie Caldwell said the exhibition is building on age-old traditions of gathering and creating collectively – carrying these cultural values into a modern-day movement.
‘Deadly Weavers celebrates the strength of culture, sharing and caring for each other and having the opportunity to create together with in the Gathering Space. Every piece tells a story of the makers, as each weaver expresses, applies and shares an ongoing appreciation of women and men’s weaving practises. We’re excited to welcome people into this exhibition during NAIDOC Week, a rare opportunity to experience the interconnected innovations of our Goori cultural creative journey.’
Gallery Director Courtney Gibson said Deadly Weavers demonstrates the Gallery’s commitment to supporting First Nations artists and creating opportunities for community engagement.
‘At Lismore Regional Gallery, we don’t simply present exhibitions; we endeavour to create the conditions in which culture can flourish. Deadly Weavers has grown organically through Gathering Space, and it’s wonderful to empower and support the group.’
The gallery says it follows the tremendous response to the Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali exhibition Lismore Regional Gallery presented in partnership with Arts Northern Rivers and local weavers, in which the Gathering Space weavers exhibited their first small collection of works together. This new iteration is a larger body of work showcasing a diverse range of exploratory woven and fibre artworks.
‘The Deadly Weavers exhibition features the following collective of artists; Penny Evans, Val Smith, Sonya Breckenridge, Penina Welch, Bernie Harada, Belle Budden, Kylie Caldwell, Leah Walke, Emily Roberts-Field, Maryanne Adams and Donella Waters’.
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