The touring Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition will open at Tweed Regional Gallery this week with an opening event on Saturday 22 February.
The exhibition signals a momentous homecoming of ancestral woven objects, presented by Arts Northern Rivers and curated by Kylie Caldwell, the exhibition has brought together three major regional galleries – Tweed, Lismore and Grafton – to showcase a powerful collection of woven pieces that reconnect past and present.
For the first time, 9 ancestral woven objects from the Australian Museum collection will return to Country, displayed alongside 10 newly commissioned works by contemporary Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Kamilaroi (Gamilaroi) artists, who have drawn from their great grandmothers' wisdom to breathe new life into ancient weaving traditions.
Elders and weavers include: Bindimu, Casino Wake Up Time, Janelle Duncan, Madeleine Grace, Lauren Jarrett, Tania Marlowe, Bianca Monaghan, Krystal Randall, Rhoda Roberts AO, Kyra Togo and Margaret Torrens.
Tweed Regional Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgcock said the Gallery was honoured to host such an important exhibition which embodies a profound cultural legacy and the continuity of cultural expression.
"We are privileged to show this significant exhibition - Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition is a powerful reminder of the deep cultural connections embedded in these woven objects and the enduring strength of Bundjalung weaving traditions. It is an honour to bring these ancestral pieces home to Country and to share this exhibition with our community," Ms Hedgcock said.
Exhibition Curator and artist Kylie Caldwell said the Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition is a unique showcase of ancient and contemporary women's woven practices.
"Each weaver's story is interconnected in one way or another. They all have a strong appreciation and respect for renewing and continuing our ancient woven cultural practices. We are fortunate with this exhibition to share a union of past and present that leads to tomorrow. The Bundjalung bags will be home for a while; conversing, sharing, informing, inspiring, affirming and connecting to their homelands. This is an exciting homecoming, one that weaves our history into the present," Ms Caldwell said.
Dr Mariko Smith, Head of First Nations Collections & Research, First Nations Division at the Australian Museum, said the museum was honoured to support Bundjalung women in reconnecting with ancestral objects.
"Australian Museum is thrilled to support Bundjalung women in reconnecting with Ancestral objects from our collection. Lending these exquisite woven pieces for the touring exhibition Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition is deeply significant. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Arts Northern Rivers and the Bundjalung community on this important initiative," Dr Smith said.
Among the contemporary works featured in the exhibition is Dili by artist Bindimu, a Bundjalung, Gugu Yalanji, Gooreng Gooreng and Melanesian multidisciplinary artist.
"The process of weaving a dili begins with the plants and the place, a conscious and cautious collection. This dili embodies the sacredness of this embryonic relationship, a process that intricately weaves together multiple ecosystems." Bindimu said.
Bundjalung artist, weaver and elder Margaret Torrens is the longest standing member of Casino Wake Up Time, a collective of Bundjalung and Kamilaroi women who have been meeting and weaving for over 10 years, first established by her mother Phyllis Caldwell.
Margaret's adorned work Place of Tall Pines, made of Bangalow palm sheaths and white ochre, refers to Mallanganee, 'Place of Tall Pines', where Maragaret's mother grew up. While short in stature, Aunty Phyllis stood tall, raising a family of 14. Margaret celebrates her mother's story and the memories of growing up in Mallanganee, in a small shanty hut near the creek where they spent most of the summer swimming.
Also included in the exhibition is the work Slumber Party 2022 by Casino Wake Up Time commissioned by the 23rd Biennale of Sydney and Create Australia.
Bundjalung/Yaegl artist Krystal Randall says she has created her work for Matriarchs on Country. She has focused her work on woven cultural wear. Her piece, Dyinda on Country, incorporates raffia, emu feathers and paper cortege.
"These pieces I've created represent Matriarchs on Country. I have envisioned Matriarchs wearing these pieces in special ceremonies, dancing and taking the younger generation out on Country to gather pieces and to show them how to weave and make their own cultural wear," Ms Randall said
Arts and cultural leader Rhoda Roberts AO, says that weaving is more than an artform, but a continuum. A practicing weaver, festival director, curator, writer and broadcaster, Roberts has also contributed a work to the exhibition. Her piece Continuous Persistence is made of Lomandra grass harvested on Country.
"Weaving is more than art; it's an essence of the circular rhythm, something continuous, crafted from the provisions of Country. We have returned full circle to the old ways where our grandmothers once gathered under the trees, weaving. As I lie back with our children, we are reminded under the dappled shade that every leaf and every star is an ancestor," Ms Roberts said.
The Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition and accompanying book are a community-led project that honours First Nations women's weaving traditions and cultural reclamation. By sharing interwoven stories across three regional galleries, the exhibition plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating an unbroken lineage of ancestral knowledge.
Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition will be on display at Tweed Regional Gallery from 22 February 2025 - 27 April 2025
Public programs
Exhibition Opening and Curator's Floortalk – FREE
Saturday 22 February 2025 | 2 pm - 5 pm
Join us for opening celebrations for Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition, followed by a Curator's Floortalk with Kylie Caldwell. Light refreshments provided.
Bookings essential Book via Humanitix: events.humanitix.com/bbn2025
Weaving workshop and bushfood tasting
Sunday 30 March 2025 | 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Join Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali weavers and Delta Kay for a workshop that celebrates the long history, beauty and connective experience of weaving with natural fibres as well as local bushfoods. All materials included.
Subsidised workshop places available for First Nations people wishing to attend – please contact [email protected] to reserve your spot.
General admission $70 | Friends & Foundation members $65
Bookings essential. Book via humanitix events.humanitix.com/wwbt
