Talosusū Kailani Niko & Peta Joy Williams Weaving Workshop

Come, sit, relax, make connections, and experience ongoing cultural weaving practices with Artist in Residence Talosusū Kailani Niko as she delivers a beautiful afternoon of cross-cultural weaving in collaboration with her mentor, Wiradjuri artist Peta Joy Williams, a member of the Red Rattler First Nations Artistic Panel.

This workshop is open to people from all backgrounds.

Part One: Peta Joy Williams will lead the first half of the workshop in Wiradjuri Weaving practice.
Part Two: Talosusū Kailani Niko will lead the second half of the workshop in Sāmoan weaving practice.

This workshop offers a rare opportunity to connect with culture, creativity, and community through the art of weaving — plus, enjoy a delicious feed!

“When undertaking weaving classes this is not a skill that you are learning, this is a journey for a day into Culture and what you learn is non-transferable and not to be taught by you to another person” - This is a space for Cultural appreciation, not Cultural appropriation.” Peta Joy 

Biography 
Talosusū Kailani Niko is an emerging interdisciplinary artist whose artwork will be on display at the Red Rattler for Triple F. Born in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa (South Auckland, New Zealand) and raised on Dharawal Country in Sydney’s South-West, Talosusū continues to reside on Dharawal. Proudly of Sāmoan heritage, her family ties connect her to the villages of Solosolo, Faleapuna, Niusuatia, and Iva (Savai’i). As a fa’afafine — a recognized Indigenous third-gender identity within Sāmoan culture, aka a transgender woman. — Talosusū’s creative practice is deeply informed by culture, identity, and community.

Currently undertaking a BA in Media, Culture and Communication with a minor in Decolonisation and the Global South at Macquarie University, Talosusū combines her academic research with her artistic practice. She is also an active member of Australia’s local ballroom kiki scene as a ‘007’. Her work weaves storytelling, performance, and visual art to explore themes of belonging, heritage, and self-expression.

Peta Joy Williams is a Wiradjuri woman, born in Sydney. With her feet firmly in both cultures, the inland freshwater and coastal salt water, she draws inspiration from the unique elements of these two diverse nations. Over the years PJ has worked in a number of community and mainstream roles. Over the last 20 plus year Peta-Joy has been a regular presence at Gadigal Information Service – Koori Radio, where her passion for events was cemented. Over her time at GIS- Koori Radio she assisted with numerous Klub Koori and Yabun events. For a few years PJ was the stalls coordinator for Yabun, priding herself on the growth in stall numbers at this time. This led to her role as Blak Markets manager at Sydney’s Blak Markets. Peta-Joy still is in the creative arts sector with her painting and weaving skills. PJ is currently an Artist resident Sydney Fringe; she is also a member of Boomalli Aboriginal Arts Co-op in Leichhardt. To see more of Peta-Joy’s art practice you can find examples of her work on wiradjuriwave.com

Ticket pricing: Important Note- Ticketing: The Red Rattler has made the choice to keep the Future Communities Arts Program financially accessible. We know these are challenging times, and we firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with this transformative program, regardless of their financial situation.That's why we’ve introduced an accessible ticket pricing system—offering a suggested ticket price but trusting you to pay what you can. Every dollar you contribute directly sustains our community-run venue and supports the brilliant artists, activists, thinkers, makers who create bold, evocative & visionary work that speaks to the now. What matters most to us is that everyone can participate. And while we leave the choice to you, we want you to know that your support, in whatever form, is the lifeblood of the Red Rattler.