As Australia's first UNESCO Creative City and region of Gastronomy, the latest Djaa Djuwima celebrates First Nations bush tucker through a range of traditional and contemporary creative works.
The exhibition Dhelk Djakitj, which means nourishing food in Dja Dja Wurrung language, is inspired by bush tucker - the food, the people, Country and stories that bring them together.
This is the first exhibition for newly appointed Djaa Djuwima Curator and Arts Officer First Nations Michellie Charvat.
Twelve talented artists are exhibiting their work in Dhelk Djakitj following a recent visit to the Me-Mandook Galk education place in Chewton where the bush tucker farm Nalderun is located.
Ms Charvat said she was delighted to be involved at the start of the creative process with exhibitors.
"It was a wonderful visit to Me-Mandook Galk education place which inspired the artists in so many different ways," Ms Charvat said.
"The artists had the opportunity to learn about the bush tucker that Nalderun is growing and harvesting, to ask questions and gain a great deal of inspiration from the farm and surrounding area on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
"They then developed their artworks to reflect their diverse experience, personal connections to bush tucker through traditional and contemporary art forms such as painting on canvas, digital art printed, creating coolamons out of traditional and natural fibres or contemporary craft forms such as beading.
"The free exhibition is a brilliant display of artworks exploring bush tucker and the personal connections to food and culture," Ms Charvat said.
"It is also a wonderful collaboration, celebrating the region's designation as Australia's first Creative City of Gastronomy at Djaa Djuwima.
"Djaa Djuwima is important in the spirit of reconciliation because it offers the opportunity for visitors and local residents to experience the diverse local First Nations peoples and artists' exploration of their own culture and identity through their art forms. Djaa Djuwima means to show and share Country and was established on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in 2022."
The community is welcome to attend the opening of Dhelk Djakitj tomorrow, Thursday April 3 from 5pm to 6.30pm at Djaa Djuwima.
The free exhibition is open until September 2025. Djaa Djuwima is located in the Bendigo Visitor Centre, Pall Mall and is open 9am to 4.30pm daily (except Christmas Day).
