Ngali Jugun Ganaree (Of Our Country)
Elisa Jane Carmichael, Lowell Hunter, Alinta Maguire, Kirli Saunders, Katie West

Curated by Stephanie Beaupark
Mentor: Tess Allas
First Peoples Curators Program

Gallery 1
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Ngali Jugun Ganaree (Of Our Country) centres Indigenous relationships with Country that have been ongoing for all time. This exhibition explores the complexities of how the natural world informs our sense of being in the world through the physical and spiritual continuous connections we have with our cultures. Expanding on the concepts explored in Ngugi Quandamooka curator-artist-scientist Stephanie Beaupark’s research, this exhibition teases out the relationships between the macro, the physicality of Country and materials sourced from Country with the micro, the spiritual connections and disconnections of the artists and their communities. ‘Ngali Jugun Ganaree’ in Jandai language that is spoken on Quandamooka Country means “we are Country and Country is us”. This holistic approach to understanding Country has always been deeply known within Indigenous knowledge systems that demonstrate the cultural values of sustainability, deep listening, protection, and respect.

While Country unites us with our cultures, the tensions and isolation are felt from the ongoing effects of invasion. However, this exhibition presents a strong representation of the push-back to that very alienation and silencing of us and our spaces, places, and cultures. Although the interrelated physical and spiritual relationship with Country has in some instances been damaged, artmaking with materials sourced from Country that speak of Country can initiate healing from this intergenerational trauma. In this Indigenous led exhibition, together we heal through creative practice to actively take care of Country and each other. This is an act of decolonisation and Indigenisation that connects us to our DNA memory of who we are.

The works in this exhibition voice each artist’s unique connection to their Countries with works made from materials found in the natural environment including dyes, ash, grasses, skins, we create weavings, text, images, textiles, and other mixed media works that demonstrate the diversity of materiality from Country. Together we think about Country, creating on Country, with materials from Country, and we are of our Country.

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