The exhibition, running from April 8 to May 5, explores cultural connections, memory and resilience through truth-telling.
The exhibition includes prints, sculptures and woven pieces, with a possum skin cloak at its centre. The cloak represents Ms Briggs’ connection to Country and the enduring ties between her people and the Murray River, a relationship that is central to much of her work.
Visitors can explore this connection further when the exhibition officially opens on Tuesday, April 8, from 6pm to 8pm.
Other works highlight the impact of introduced species such as carp on the river and the surrounding environment. Through large-scale prints, Ms Briggs draws attention to the changes in the landscape and the importance of conservation, themes she will discuss in an artist talk at Kaiela Arts on Saturday, April 12, from 2pm to 3pm.
Ms Briggs’ artistic practice is shaped by her upbringing in Cummeragunja, where her family had lived for four generations. Her parents and Elders instilled in her a strong sense of pride and connection to land and culture as she grew up learning about bush medicine, living off the land, and the oral traditions of her people. These teachings continue to inform her artistic journey.
Stories Told on Country is both an act of truth-telling and a reflection on the lived histories of First Nations peoples in Australia’s south-eastern region. Through each piece, the exhibition invites audiences to engage with these stories and recognise the ongoing presence of First Nations cultures.
Registration for the opening and artist talk can be made here.
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