Looking Back, Looking Forward: Gomeroi Artists Shine in Sustainable Art Exhibition

The stunning new exhibition, Looking Back / Looking Forward, highlights the talent and resilience of the Gomeroi Artists Group, presented by the Euraba Paper Company. This impactful show features 50 works on cotton pulp paper, a sustainable and innovative medium crafted using locally sourced cotton fabric waste from iconic Australian brands like Country Road and RM Williams.

The exhibition, now on display at the Yaama Ganu Gallery, 211 Balo St, Moree NSW 2400 celebrates the cultural and creative revival of the Toomelah and Boggabilla communities. Through immense dedication, the communities have reopened the Euraba studio, transforming it into a vibrant hub of artistic expression, cultural pride, and connection.

Through collaboration with Yaama Ganu, Bank Art Museum Moree and Arts North West, supported by the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program the exhibition stands as a testament to the power of art in fostering resilience, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Looking Back / Looking Forward marks a major milestone for the Euraba artists, showcasing their creativity while championing environmental sustainability through their innovative papermaking process.

Here an extraordinary group of nine senior Gomeroi women established a production paper mill, the Euraba Paper Company. They are the first indigenous community to make handmade paper and paper arts in Australia.

“Arts North West are honoured to work with the Gomeroi artists in this first group show for the artists, since the reopening of the studio.” said Lauren Mackley, Executive Director of Arts North West. “This show is a powerful celebration of cultural pride, creativity, and community resilience. The dedication of the artists and the Euraba Paper Company in championing sustainable practices while honouring Gomeroi traditions is truly inspiring. We encourage everyone to experience this unique exhibition and support the talented artists who have brought it to life.”

All artworks are available at an accessible price of $600, encouraging collectors and supporters to invest in these unique, handmade pieces. Opening day sales have been strong, demonstrating the growing appreciation for the artistry and cultural significance of the works.

Arts North West, in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, is proud to support this initiative. Their backing has been instrumental in making the exhibition a success, fostering opportunities for regional artists and enriching the local arts scene.

Experience Looking Back / Looking Forward and support the Gomeroi artists by visiting the Yaama Ganu Gallery Moree. Every piece you acquire helps sustain the creative and cultural heartbeat of the Toomelah and Boggabilla communities.

The exhibition continues until the end of January 2025.

New Creative Work Launched at Arts North West

Arts North West’s Seven Sisters Project has come to spectacular finale with the launch of a new creative video work, Miyaay Miyaay. 

The work has been developed by key Gamilaroi artists. Writer Cathy Craigie's story formed the basis of the Miyaay Miyaay film, with dance choreography from Katie Leslie and Shae Duncan, and the illustration by Tania Hartigan.  

Miyaay Miyaay is based on the Gamilaroi version of the Seven Sisters songline, and inspired by Country, and landscape of the New England North West.  

The Seven Sisters songline is an epic narrative that spans across a vast area of Australia from the West coast through Central Australia to the North West of NSW and to Gamilaroi country. Miyaay Miyaay celebrates the Gamilaroi version of this Aboriginal story. 

A recipient of the prestigious 2016 New South Wales Aboriginal Arts Fellowship, Cathy is from the Gamilaroi and Anaiwan nations. She is the founding director of Koori Radio and First Nation Australia Writers Network, and has written several produced plays and published two children’s books. Cathy writes short stories and works as a writing mentor and workshop facilitator. 

Katie Leslie is a proud Gamilaroi and Mandandanji woman from Moree. She has a deep passion and love for her Aboriginal culture and heritage, as well as the performing arts. She studied acting at ACPA (The Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts) and later went on to study dance at NAISDA Dance College. Since graduating she has worked for many people in different places, performing and teaching dance. 

“We feel very honoured to be able to present a new creative work, Miyaay Miyaay, to our Arts North West audiences and to the wider community. Being able to provide the creative tools and support to see this important story come to life is a significant moment within Arts North West’s 25-year history,” Arts North West executive director Lauren Mackley said.  

“I would like to extend a massive thanks to the everyone who made this project possible including our previous Executive Director, Caroline Downer, and Project Manager, Miranda Heckenberg. The film and the storybook can be viewed on our website and will also be distributed in hardcopy throughout the region.”

The Seven Sisters Project is supported by the NSW Government’s Creative Koori Fund through Create NSW and by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund through Regional Arts NSW. 

Visit www.artsnw.com.au/miyaay-miyaay-film to view the film and storybook. Please contact the Arts North West office on 6732 4988 if you would like more information. 

We are humbled and proud to work on this Country

Arts North West feels proud and privileged to have this exceptional piece by Glen Innes Elder, Ngarrabul Yinaar Adèle Chapman-Burgess, which acknowledges the First Nation land and histories where we work and live. It is so beautiful.

Fortuitously, as a fantastic member of the Glen Innes maintenance staff was installing this piece on Thursday, Adèle was driving by and was able to see the piece as it was just hung on the Arts North West office building. It was so cool to have her there.

We will have a formal launch of this piece in early May during the Creative Recovery Workshop, commencing 11 May at Arts North West, and we will invite the local community and our First Nations Elders to come to that event. We will be organising a formal cultural ceremony to open the workshop and acknowledge the installation of this beautiful plaque.

Debut market showcases First Nations artists

With less than two weeks to go until the debut live Arts North West Gather & Trade Aboriginal Artisans Market, organiser and 2 Rivers Pty Ltd managing director Lorrayne Fishenden is thrilled the event is about to launch. She said the line-up of artists will be exceptional, despite set-backs and COVID delays which have affected so many arts events.

“We’re confident that the market will be a greater success then we originally anticipated,” Lorrayne said.

“We are really excited to have this platform to showcase the talent, passion and skills of our First Nations artists, especially during the 50th Tamworth Country Music Festival. This means we will have some amazing exposure we hope will increase economic outcomes for artists who have been heavily affected by the pandemic, through the sale of their work.”

The markets on Saturday, 23 April, from 9am-2pm will be staged alongside First Nations performing artists with live music and workshops beside the White Street carpark at Kable Avenue, Tamworth.

Lorrayne said there are 10 stalls, and a total of 23 artists are registered for the event, and nine performing artists will take the stage.

“From weaving to resin, paintings to jewellery, handmade stockwhips to children’s books, the market is a great opportunity for community and visitors to town to buy authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts from First Nations creatives from the region who are showcasing and selling their products and to a wide audience,” Lorrayne said.

“For example, for young emerging artist Georgia Byrnes, it’s her first time selling her works at a markets. At just 19 years-of-age, she has been working through the Arts North West Aboriginal Artist Intensive Mentoring program for the last 6 months, and this has given her the confidence to join more experienced artists like Glen Innes-based Avril Chapman, and the Moree Mehi Gallery who will have five artists attend.”

Arts North West executive director Caroline Downer was elated the market had been designed to support and highlight local creative and cultural talents.

“Tamworth is a real regional hub in the New England North West and is the perfect location to shine a light on the myriad of Aboriginal arts and cultural enterprises, making and creating in the New England North West region,” she said.

“Plus, the talent scheduled for our Gather & Trade Market stage is exceptional. It’s especially exciting to have this event happening during the TCMF final weekend and Community Saturday in the Park. It means these artisans and performing artists will have a big introduction to a big audience.”

Gather and Trade is supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program.

CONTACTS

Lorrayne Fishenden: lorrayne@2rivers.com.au, 0467 668 977

Caroline Downer: rado@artsnw.com.au, 0428 042 622

Michèle Jedlicka: media@artsnw.com.au, 6732 4988, 04387 010 131