Indigenous artists weave stories into exhibits at Crows Nest Gallery

Artworks from three Indigenous artists are featured in the latest exhibition, Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Country, which is on display at Crows Nest Gallery until September 18, 2022.

The exhibition explores narratives relating to spiritual connectivity, place-making, traditional knowledge, healing and teachings of the participating artists, Cheryl Moggs (from the Bigambul First Nation people), Barbara Walker (from the Wiradjuri First Nation people) and Aaron Blades (from the Mandandanji First Nation people).

The exhibition offers an insight into artists who continue to shape, transform and educate audiences about the complexities and value of culture entwined in their respective artistic practices.

Throughout her career, Cheryl Moggs has been a teacher, painter, weaver, designer and storyteller.

“My first artistic experience came from my mother, who taught me the significance of symbols by showing me the black soil on our country and making clay dolls from the clay pans with grasses and leaves where I played as a child. I carried these dolls around in my pocket across country,” Moggs said.

In 1999 Moggs was selected to participate in a group exhibition at the Institute of Modern Art in Brisbane titled, Respect our Grandmothers and Grandfathers. She completed an artwork, Spirit Connection, which was a story of place, depicting where she grew up with her mother, siblings, family and grandparents.

Her painting Homeland, which is exhibited at Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Country, gives an insight to Moggs’ place and life as a child, where she was often called a fringe dweller, living in a tin hut on her traditional lands.

Proud Wiradjuri woman Barbara Walker, who is from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, practises traditional coil weaving. She lives and creates her work at Pittsworth. She has been a practising artist for more than 12 years following her retirement.

Walker’s weaving of form and story pays respect to her ancestors and elders, acknowledging their teaching and knowledge while creating a connection to language, culture and story through ancient threads and techniques handed down the generations.

She recently completed studies in Wiradjuri language that helped her promote the use of traditional language and incorporate language into weaving to help people connect with culture.

Aaron (DHURIL) Blades, a Mandandanji man from the Balonne River in south west Queensland, lives in Toowoomba.

A painter since he was 14, Aaron uses his paintings to tell his stories and heal.

“My paintings allow me to give an insight into our beautiful culture while also providing the ability to heal my spirit through my connection to my old people,” Blades said.

“I believe the path I am on was planned for me long ago by my ancestors and I intend to follow their guidance and strive to become a strong advocate for my people.”

The exhibition’s artist talk will be held at the Gallery from 11am on Saturday, September 4, 2022.

Gummingurru Aboriginal Corporation will conduct a smoking ceremony before the talk.

This is a free event and no bookings are required.

For more information on the exhibition, please visit the events register

Enquiries about the exhibition can be directed to Crows Nest Gallery on (07) 4698 1687 or [email protected] 

Crows Nest Gallery, at the corner of the New England Highway and William Street is open from 10.30am to 3.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays.

Detail: 1. Cheryl MOGGS / Homeland 2022 / acrylic on canvas / 76 x 100cm / © Cheryl Moggs (Top)

2. Barbara WALKER / The Gap at Alice Springs 2020 / paper core, rayon raffia and clear varnish / 38 x 33 x 12cm / © Barbara WALKER

3. Aaron BLADES / Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) 2021 / acrylic on canvas / 98 x 210cm / © Aaron BLADES (Bottom)