Celebrating Butchulla culture at Gympie Regional Gallery
Wonamutta Burra is a new exhibition at Gympie Regional Gallery that celebrates the cultural life of the Butchulla nation spanning from Rainbow Beach, K’gari (Fraser Island), north to Piabla in Hervey Bay.
The exhibition showcases the cultural knowledge and stories brought to life through a range of artistic mediums including, acrylic on canvas, ceramics, patchwork (of recycled berlin canvas, recycled tapestry wool, screen print, hand dyed cotton fabric), limited edition photographic prints and timber sculpture.
These works highlight the significance of traditional customary law, culture and traditions, featuring a collective of artists including Nai Nai Bird, Luke Barrowcliffe, Rose Barrowcliffe, Belinda Barrowcliffe, Sandra Aidon and Damien Aidon.
Between them, they hold several lifetimes of creative industry experience, cultural knowledge and local stories, and are passionate about sharing that to educate the broader community and foster an understanding and more inclusive local culture.
Artist and co-curator Luke Barrowcliffe says the majority of works are created using natural resources, recycled and repurposed elements.
“This is an important focus of the works, in keeping with cultural practice and it’s important that we utilise the resources surrounding us,” he said.
Join Butchulla Elder, Nai Nai Bird on Thursday, October 22 at 10.30am, for an insightful floor talk about the artworks appearing in the exhibition.
Bookings will be essential due to limited capacities for this exciting floor talk. Visit: eventfinda.com.au
The project has been supported by Gympie Regions Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Gympie Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Wonamutta Burra is on display at Gympie Regional Gallery from Saturday, October 3 until Wednesday, November 25.
Entry to the Gympie Regional Gallery at 39 Nash Street is free, with opening hours from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.
For more information, or to make bookings for workshops and themed activities, visit: gympie.qld.gov.au/gallery or call 5481 0733.