Curated by Shepparton-born Yorta Yorta woman Kimberley Moulton, the exhibition in Healesville features over 20 new works exploring cultural connection, history and regeneration. Among the 23 artists selected are five from Kaiela Arts in Shepparton: Jack Anselmi, Amy Briggs, Cynthia Hardie, Laurel Robinson and Lyn Thorpe.
“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,” Yorta Yorta curator Kimberley Moulton said.
“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.”
These themes of memory, family and cultural continuity also came through in conversations with the Kaiela Arts artists, who reflected on the opportunity and what it meant to them.
What does being part of this biennial mean to you?
Amy Briggs: “It means a lot to us as artists, to display our work as part of the TarraWarra Biennial. Kimberley approached us to do this project last year. It was fantastic that she recognised our work here at Kaiela Arts, giving us the opportunity to take part in this exhibition.
“The artwork all comes from our memories, our past, from when we were growing up and things that matter to us, our culture. We’re so lucky to have Kaiela Arts to come to every week and be creative and be artists and be a part of it all. I think we’ve come a long way, from back in the day — art is just a part of us."
Jack Anselmi: “I’ve been here (Kaiela Arts) since 2006, so about 20 years now from when it first started. It’s the first time we’ve known about the Tarrawarra Biennial and this opportunity to be down in Melbourne — it’s great for them to even notice us and give us a chance. Our art is educational to a lot of people.”
Laurel Robinson: “I really feel honoured to be part of the TarraWarra Biennial because I don’t consider myself as a, you know, great artist. The artwork I made is just something about my memories from childhood, about my dad.”
Lyn Thorpe: “I think this is a pretty special opportunity for a few reasons. Kimberley Moulton, the curator for the TarraWarra Biennial this year is a Yorta Yorta woman. She’s been doing some amazing work in academic/art/history spaces over the last decade or more. It’s truly an honour for Kaiela Arts artists to be invited by Kimberley to show our work and share our stories alongside other Aboriginal artists, including Indigenous artists from other parts of the world. The Elders’ ceramics works are especially beautiful, you can clearly see that they’ve been created with love and memories from their childhood growing up with families and cousins on Yorta Yorta country.”
What are you most looking forward to experiencing in this biennial?
Amy Briggs: “I reckon it’s fantastic, this opportunity to showcase our work down there with other artists and that inspires me.”
Jack Anselmi: “It’ll be a bit of a buzz!”
Laurel Robinson: “The reaction of people viewing the artwork on display gives me the incentive to be part of the exhibition. I’m really looking forward to going there, visiting it, having a look at what the other artists can produce. It’s exciting to think that we’ll see all these different displays of art.”
How did Pastor Nicholls’ words shape or influence your creative process for this exhibition?
Lyn Thorpe: “When I think about the words that Uncle Doug spoke about Yorta Yorta people being eagles, I feel it relates strongly to our ancestors and the legacies and strengths that they’ve passed on to our people over generations. It makes me think about our great-grandparents’ generation and what they were able to achieve together in a very proactive, united and respectful way.
“Our Yorta Yorta history and stories hold the essence of who we are. Our identity and our strengths come through our ancestors, our Country and history. We pass those on to our next generations and others who are interested. It’s important to share and relive our stories through creative processes, whether it’s through song, dance, music, art-making or yarning.
“Keeping these practices alive not only help keep our stories and history alive but also nurtures our identity and sense of health and wellbeing and place.
“Gathering together to create old and new ways of sharing and telling our stories enables something special that can activate the essence of enrichment and happiness for all generations and all cultures. This is why Kaiela Arts is an important space for our artists, creatives, our community and the broader community.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Laurel Robinson: “I’m just grateful. I’m grateful I get to do this because after retiring from work in Sydney I came home to Shepparton and it’s given me sort of a renewed life, you could say. I’m grateful that Kaiela Arts had this program going for us that we can come to each week.”
Amy Briggs: “Thanks to Kimberley for giving us this opportunity and just to go and see those artists and see what they do. It inspires us to do our work and be creative and meet other people. That makes us feel special.”
We Are Eagles is on display at TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville until July 20. It’s an exhibition not to be missed.
