Weaving Stories of Change

Join a compelling line up of First Nations urban culturalists for a unique intercultural art parade, yidaki healing, film screening, exhibition and yarn.

In the alluring timber lined auditorium at Woods Bagot architecture studio, participants will be led through an immersive water ceremony experience, gathered around a river reed centrepiece by Ikebana architect Christina Theodorou. Under a night sky light projection, a song acknowledging Country will be performed by Stephen Thorpe, a GunaiKurnai Gundjitmara, Yorta Yorta man and co- founder of Sustainative.

Following a yidaki healing by Dylan Charles, Sarah Naarden will share highlights of Cultivating Trust, an exhibit of photographs and artefacts celebrating 5 years of the Turruk Community Program. A tribute to First Nations contributors including: Uncle Glenn Loughrey, Merilyn Merm Duff, Bianca Easton Dylan Charles and Jai Wright.

Participants will be introduced to Heart Spirit Home, an exhibit of speculative architecture proposals reimaging Aboriginal aged care at Initiatives of Change Australia. Selected works by Master of Architecture students from the University of Melbourne with three student prize announced.

Unveiled for the first time, a short documentary Weaving Three Stories will be screened showcasing the weaving and yarning series in Fisherman’s Bend proudly supported by FB IDEAS. Insights from filmmaker Michael Woods at Pacific Studio with reflections from Trawoolway woman Merilyn Merm Duff.

An intercultural art parade of woven artefacts co-curated by Bianca Easton and Sarah Naarden will then be revealed alongside a panel of reflections forecasting Weaving Futures with Woods Bagot Reconciliation Chair Bronwyn Mc Coll, Bradley Kerr, Indigenous designer of the Venice Bienale and former Indigenous Fashion Project advisor Peter Naughton.

Light refreshments will be served from Indigenous social enterprise Ngarrgu Djerring Cafe supporting the Killara Foundation.

This event is proudly supported by Aboriginal Melbourne, City of Melbourne, Woods Bagot, Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, Pacific Studio and Initiatives of Change Australia.

All tickets at concession prices $40 Complimentary tickets for Mob by request.

For partnerships, media and volunteering contact: sarah.naarden@gmail.com