First Nations Australia

The Circle made with Lomandra grass, grown beside our waterways and harvested from and on Bundjalung Country, ‘The Circle’ is about our knowledge system. In the circle everyone has a place and a voice.

Artist Statement: My practice is one that could have disappeared but there has been a tenacious revival across our Homelands for the last two decades. Many years ago when I learnt the rudiments of the craft of weaving I decided to focus on wall hangings and mats. The material, Lomandra, is organic and is about working with country. The plant fibres are associated with oral story, they are ancient – they are edible and used for medicinal purposes. I have only sold a few pieces in exhibitions and I don’t often sell my work. It doesn’t cost me anything to make, just the labour. When I get to sit with the aunties and hear their stories, listening to the knowledge they impart – it’s a healing – it’s a gifting – so my weaving is what I often gift to the artists and performers I work with.

Credit: Caption text and image for the illustration was provided by the artist and author Rhoda Roberts.

Illustration by Cecelia Faumuina