The title is inspired by a 1938 speech by activist Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, who called for equal rights for First Nations people, declaring, “We do not want chicken-feed … we are not chickens; we are eagles.”
Originally from Shepparton, curator Kimberley Moulton, a proud Yorta Yorta person, writer and researcher, has invited 23 artists to explore themes of cultural connection, history and regeneration through more than 20 newly commissioned works.
“In terms of cultural assertion, of strength — we are eagles,” Ms Moulton said.
“The power to soar in freedom and ancestral knowledge, knowing and dignity, and everything that encompasses.
“Since I’ve read it (Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls’ quote), I just have been so inspired by it.
“Often an idea will be seated from a beautiful line that I read, or a poem or a song or, in this case, it was this line from Pastor Doug.
“And for a long time, for many years, I have thought I’d love to do an exhibition with that as a title because it felt poetic as well.
“That’s where the idea of the exhibition started and when I was invited to curate TarraWarra Biennial, I felt was like the right time to work with this idea.”
Among the commissioned artists, Shepparton’s Laurel Robinson, Cynthia Hardie, Amy Briggs and Jack Anselmi — who work out of Kaiela Arts — will present a series of paintings and ceramics reflecting local stories and memories.
Their work offers a deeply personal connection to place and community, reclaiming cultural narratives and challenging colonial perspectives.
“I’m from Shepp, and it’s such a wonderful thing to be able to work back home in that way and support these Elders and artists because they are doing amazing work,” Ms Moulton said.
“And Kaiela (Arts Shepparton) is such an incredible community hub.
“When I went up there and I said, ‘I’m doing the show, this is what it’s about,’ I wanted them to kind of push their practice a little bit.
“Aunty Amy and Aunty Laurel, they paint these beautiful paintings that are really unique to their own style and visual language and in the way that they paint, but they also are basically painting memories of growing up around Shepparton … their own memories.
“They’re kind of more like social history memories, too, of important moments in time and history.
“What they’ve produced is just for the most extraordinary, I think, representation of their personal lives and histories, but also the everyday kind of experience.
“I think people are really going to be able to connect to their work quite strongly.
“But it’s also talking in a cultural context, too, and the importance of family and these memories that you know are important for the next generations to know, too.”
A platform for contemporary voices
Launched in 2006, TarraWarra Biennial has established itself as a key space showcasing emerging trends in Australian contemporary art.
TarraWarra Museum of Art director Victoria Lynn described this year’s exhibition as “one of the most anticipated in the Australian cultural calendar”, praising Ms Moulton’s approach to pushing boundaries.
“TarraWarra Biennial is ... a dynamic platform for contemporary art and ideas,” Dr Lynn said.
“Under Moulton’s visionary curation, moving beyond traditional museum display techniques, We Are Eagles highlights the creative practices of artists that look to reclaim cultural space in innovative ways.”
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