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Nyoongar art leads to NAIDOC heart at Fremantle Arts Centre this winter

CONTEMPORARY Nyoongar art workshops have started at the Fremantle Arts Centre, leading up to a major NAIDOC Week exhibition at the start of July.

Held every Friday in June from 11am to 2pm in Samson Court, Nyoongar artists Sharyn Egan and Francine Kickett will explore themes recognising 50 years of NAIDOC celebrations and 40 years since the 1967 referendum.

City of Fremantle Indigenous Development Officer David Chesson said it was an opportunity for emerging artists to work with a variety of materials alongside professional artists.

“There are several types of arts to get involved in, whether it’s painting, fabrics or fibre baskets, crafted in the unique Nyoongar style,” he said.

“Francine gets inspiration for her art works through her spiritual connections with the environment and experiments with different polyesters, synthetic fabrics, silks and naturals fibres, helping to re-create the look of natural landforms to great effect.

“Sharyn is a Curtin University graduate and currently works as an Aboriginal student officer at Challenger TAFE while also lecturing in art with Aboriginal students.

“Her work deals with emotions associated with the sense of loss and displacement of Aboriginal people and the trauma carried on through the generations.”

The exhibition will open at the Fremantle History Museum Community Access Gallery on July 3 as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, presented by the City of Fremantle Nyoongar Advisory Committee.

Workshops are $20 per session; concessions are available.

* For more information, contact City of Fremantle Indigenous Development Officer David Chesson on 9432 9822, 0404 073 228 or davidch@fremantle.wa.gov.au.