Two new exhibitions opening in Footscray are highlighting the power of art to heal and connect.
Scattered Tribes: Healing Through Kinship is a journey in reconnecting with country, story and each other. The exhibition presents work by renowned artist Ngardarb Francine Riches, a Bardi Jawi and Karajarri woman who has been practising arts for more 30 years.
“Healing through the arts and exploring who we are in the context of our kinship brings about healing to our souls,” she said. “It connects us to our families and culture. It gives us self-esteem and respect for ourselves and others.”
The exhibition includes a series of photographic portraits featuring local community members, collaboratively created with Chilean-born portrait photographer Arun Munoz.
“Feeling welcome and part of the group put a smile on my face,” Munoz said.
The Yelmo-Garang exhibition, named after the Kulin word for nest, has been curated by Kate ten Buuren and Kat Clarke of indigenous collective “this mob”.
Kate ten Buuren said the artists had transformed the Gabriel Gallery into a welcoming studio and installation space, inviting people to collaborate, create and be part of this mob’s community over a cup of tea.
“A lot of people don’t feel comfortable in the ‘white wall gallery’ space, so we’re trying to shift how people engage in those spaces and the idea of what you can do in them,” she said.
Scattered Tribes: Healing Through Kinship and Yelmo-Garang will run at Footscray Community Arts Centre until July 29.
