Artist Talk: Stories Told on Country by Glennys Briggs

Taungurung, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri, and Palawa artist Glennys Briggs presents Stories Told on Country, a deeply personal solo exhibition exploring her enduring connection to land, culture, and history. Through painting, printmaking, sculpture, and possum skin cloak making, Briggs shares stories passed down through generations. 

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a possum skin cloak, representing the Murray River’s significance as a life source for her people. This powerful work speaks to survival, resilience, and the deep spiritual ties between Country and community.

Raised on Cummeragunja Reserve, Glennys’ art practice is a continuation of her family's oral traditions and cultural knowledge. With a background in Aboriginal Health and Welfare, her creative journey began over a decade ago, culminating in a Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Art at Griffith University. Her work, shaped by extensive research into historical archives and cultural histories, is a testament to the strength and survival of her people.

This exhibition offers an opportunity for audiences to engage with truth-telling through art, inviting deeper understanding of Aboriginal stories, knowledge, and identity.

Image Credit: Sweet Damper 2020, print on possum skin - photo courtesy of Queensland University of Technology