Yirran Miigaydhu: Weaving our ways to Country
Exhibition: 9 April – 22 May 2022
Opening: Saturday 9 April 2022, 2pm – 4pm
This exhibition, Weaving our ways to Country, or Yirran Miigaydhu Biyangalaygu Ngurayu in Dharawal language, is the second presentation of newly created works by Yirran Miigaydhu – Aboriginal Women’s Weaving Group at Campbelltown Arts Centre since 2019.
Yirran Miigaydhu began in early 2015 as a weaving group for South West Sydney based Aboriginal women to connect and embrace knowledge through weaving. These meetings provide space for connection through conversation, sharing stories and interweaving women’s business and wellbeing with creativity.
The group meet once a month at Campbelltown Arts Centre and are led by established weaver and artist, Aunty Phyllis Stewart who guides weaving with traditional and contemporary methods using natural fibres and grasses such as Lomandra and vines which are harvested from the surrounding area.
For this exhibition, the Yirran Miigaydhu weavers have created ambitious vessels using basket-making techniques with dyed raffia and cane. Bringing the old ways to new times, strengthening journeys and reviving connections, this exhibition epitomises the gathering of many women from across Country and the celebrated tradition of creating meeting space on Dharawal land.
Yirran Miigaydhu weavers have previously exhibited at Cement Fondu (Sydney), Sturt Gallery (Southern Highlands) and have produced fibre sculptures and baskets for sale at Campbelltown Art Centre’s Artist Exchange retail store. Their work as a group and individually spans baskets, fish nets, eel traps, random weave, sculpture and wall-based installation incorporating natural fibres found on Dharawal and Yuin Country.
Artists
Amealia Lai
Annette Dixon
Annette Houston
Christine Weatherall
Clarinda Vinter
Delphine Leslie
Diane Andrewartha
Gail Vinter
Jillian Scahill
Joeann Tanginoa
Karen Austin
Karen Lee Nichols
Kerrie Whitmore
Leeanne Hudson
Madalanne Taylor
Micheline Fabilia
Natalie Valiente
Patricia Ping
Tahnee Ping
Marilyn Raymond
Tina Taylor
With special acknowledgement to Uncle Steven Russell for his contribution and support for the program and exhibition
