About the talk

Join us at Queensland State Archives for a special artist talk with Melissa Stannard, a proud Yuwaalaraay, Gamilaraay and Koama woman and the artist behind the exhibition Winagaylay Ngiyani Ganunga: We Will Remember Them.

In this talk, Melissa will speak about the creative and cultural process behind her new body of work, which draws on family histories, oral testimony and archival research to honour the legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in the military.

The exhibition sheds light on the silences and omissions in official records, while affirming the strength, resilience and sovereignty of First Nations communities. Melissa’s work brings these stories to life in a powerful and personal way, inviting audiences to reflect on memory, truth-telling and cultural continuity. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the artist in the space where her work is exhibited.

Bookings are essential.

About Melissa

Melissa Stannard is a Yuwaalaraay, Gamillaraay and Koama artist whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, trauma, and survival. Through art, poetry and jewellery, she shares her lived experiences and those of her community, aiming for truth telling and poetic healing.

Deeply connected to her culture and country, Stannard often draws inspiration from nature. Her practice aims to uplift Indigenous voices and encourage others to share their stories, fostering resilience and hope.

Melissa Stannard with examples of her work — A multidisciplinary artist, Melissa Stannard is pictured here with examples of her work.