A glorious morning, the sun scattering its rays through the branches of the trees, painting moving images on the road ahead.
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The car pointing north — to Nathalia — for a special event.
An event linked to the current Life Along the River exhibition at the G.R.A.I.N Store.
The exhibition, jointly curated by Kaiela Arts Studio manager and creative Tarn Parker and G.R.A.I.N Store board member Kristen Retallick, opened on October 24.
It provides an intimate space for the work of Kaiela Arts Elders and senior artists Cynthia Harding, Amy Briggs, Laurel Robinson and Rochelle Patten to share their stories, knowledge and creativity.
Life Along the River is a departure from the Nathalia Art Centre’s usual format of exhibitions.
Rather than a display of works from a diverse range of artists, this collection carries what Phillipa Schapper from the gallery called “special significance”.
Part of this significance is the close collaboration between Kaiela Arts and the G.R.A.I.N Store and the opportunity this has provided for a shared curation of the works.
But more importantly, it is the awareness of the special standing these Elders have within the Kaiela Arts community.
These Elder women — River Country women — whose work is featured in Life Along the River, are “cultural knowledge keepers, activists, leaders, grandmothers and great-grandmothers who keep culture, Country, language and family strong and connected”, Kaiela Arts manager Anita Larkin said.
Their creations are “deeply rooted in their connection to the river, honouring all living things in the delicate balance of nature”, she said.
“Their work celebrates the significance of woka (Country) as both a physical and cultural landscape, where histories, culture, stories and memories come together.”
The special event was an opportunity to meet three of the artists over morning tea and scones — an informal conversation. To listen, to find out more.
So, on the sun-drenched Sunday morning — with the exhibition area seeming to be alive with the bright light filling the space — the crowd gathered, all eager to take in the artworks and listen to the stories.
Three of the four artists — Aunty Cynthia Harding, Aunty Amy Briggs and Aunty Laurel Robinson — arrived.
The chairs were ready, tea and coffee poured, scones, jam and cream on plates as everyone settled in.
To listen to the Elders talk about their view of the world, of their community, as shown in their artwork.
The artists — all first cousins — hold a special place in the community as holders of stories and memories
These are often shared as they come together in the Kaiela Arts studio space, once a week on a Thursday, to create.
As they inspire younger artists to express themselves through the arts.
As they remember, with humour, stories from the past, each adding their perspective to the telling.
The studio, overlooking Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton, offers a place to gather thoughts, ideas and inspiration.
As Aunty Cynthia explained, “(We) love the space.”
“Looking out onto the lake inspires us. We’re connecting with everyone.”
There were stories about the importance and enjoyment of working together.
The large NAIDOC Week Exhibition painting that all four artists worked on simultaneously, each telling their individual story in their quarter of the canvas, but with Rochelle Patten and Amy Briggs having to work upside down — this story told with a laugh.
There were reflections on their development as artists.
It’s been “quite an arts journey from where we all started”, Aunty Amy mused.
Aunty Laurel never considered herself an artist.
When she returned home from Sydney after retiring, she found she enjoyed creating images of growing up as one of 14 in Shepparton.
Of painting these stories.
The interest in exploring different art mediums. “I like doing anything — clay, painting, weaving, jewellery-making, reed baskets,” Aunty Cynthia said.
This was seconded by Aunty Amy, who expressed no real preference, no favourite medium.
The important thing is having “a way to express ourselves”.
The excitement as they revealed a little of an important, commissioned ceramic artwork on which they are all working.
Not wanting to give too much away.
Again, the work will tell an important story, of memories growing up.
Of the importance of family. Even of the inspiration for Aunty Laurel’s name!
Driving home afterwards, there was time to reflect on the morning.
How the paintings were like pages of a picture book, each telling a part of a wider story.
How the themes of family, belonging and connection are universal.
How special it was to meet the artists and how generous their sharing of their stories.
And how the mighty Dungala and Kaiela rivers — that form the river Country — are still shaping the interconnectedness of life, family, community, connection, belonging, identity and love as they have for countless generations.
The G.R.A.I.N Store and Kaiela Arts have what is described as “a long-standing relationship”.
This exhibition is a continuation of their shared commitment to celebrating the voices and perspectives of First Nations artists living on Yorta Yorta Country.
So go along to the G.R.A.I.N Store and have a look at the images on the walls and think about the stories they tell.
The Life Along the River exhibition is on until December 14 at 24 Blake St, Nathalia.
Visit Kaiela Arts at 530 Wyndham St, Shepparton: explore the stories told in the many artworks on display.
The gallery is open from 10am to 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Reconciliation column