Creative expression: Kelvin Rogers and Tyron Justin.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
The Gallawah Foundation launched a unique First Nations art exhibition in Shepparton on Sunday, December 18.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The art exhibition showcased art from Tyron Justin and Kelvin Rogers.
The pieces featured elements of First Nations culture, including animals, social scenes and Dreamtime stories.
Mr Justin and Mr Rogers met while attending Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place, a program run by Corrections Victoria that was established to help First Nations men heal.
Mr Justin called Wulgunggo Ngalu a place of healing and said it was a safe place to talk with others about his future.
For him, art became his way of expressing his innermost thoughts about what matters most to him.
Connection to culture: One of Kelvin Rogers’ pieces of art.
Photo by
Gabriel Garcia
Such positive sentiments were also held by Mr Rogers, who said his connection to his culture grew during the program.
“Wulgunggo Ngalu has been the right program for me to heal, learn more about myself and put me on a different road where my art is my way of expressing myself,” he said.
For both men, art has become an important medium to connect to country, family and the wider community.
Gallawah Foundation chair Trevor Baker said taking time to listen to other people’s stories, finding safe places to be heard and reconnecting with culture, family and mob were important aspects of being.
“Gallawah Foundation is proud to take our time to hear these stories and stand with men and women living with disabilities that need some support to make the most of the opportunities ahead of them,” Mr Baker said.
The artwork will remain on display at the Gallawah Foundation until the end of the week.
Gallawah Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation focused on making a difference in families’ lives, especially First Nations people with family members living with disabilities.
20°C