Aboriginal women’s stories and resistance at Arts House

A new exhibition about amplifying Aboriginal women’s voices will soon take over North Melbourne’s Art House.

Blak Women's Healing, curated by Wemba-Wemba and Gunditjmara visual artist and academic, Dr Paola Balla, in collaboration with Aboriginal women, will feature from April 23.

This exhibition is created by Aboriginal women through dialogues about Country, place, identity and culture in the ongoing community research and healing arts practices.

Other Aboriginal women collaborators working with Dr Balla include Cousins and Sisters, Kath Apma Penangke Travis, and Blak women from the western suburbs to make this exhibition aesthetic and significant.

As a cultural collaboration, Dr Balla explores the recognition of trauma, survival, self-determined desires for justice, peace and wellbeing for Aboriginal women, their children, families and communities.

“Blak Women’s Healing acknowledges the grief, strength and continuation of our culture,” Dr Balla said. 

The centrepiece of the entire exhibition is Dr Balla’s 2021 large-scale mixed-media installation, Murrup (ghost) Weaving in Rosie Kuka Lar (Grandmother’s Camp), made from bush-dyed silks and fabrics.

“The installation is fully accessible and is a soft, immersive artwork that visitors can look at from the outside but can also go inside of to look closer at the bush-dyed fabrics, smell the eucalyptus and bush flower scent embedded in the fabrics, and take a moment or two to be mindful, peaceful and have a moment of respite,” Dr Balla said.

The installation is a tribute to Dr Balla's grandmother and it has received a lot of positive feedback since its exhibition.

“Visitors love the interactive nature of it, that you can sit, lay or stand inside the installation, which essentially is a soft, fabric-based tent,” Balla said.

“The feedback included that the space is nostalgic, healing, gentle and reminiscent of the past while giving space to feel present.”

The connection between the centrepiece and other works in the exhibition also reflect the commitment of healing for Aboriginal women, their families and communities.

“The amazing women who have contributed so much of their lived experiences, knowledge and insights from the Blak Women’s Healing program we do at Moondani Balluk, Victoria University and have worked with our research team over the past few years, being interviewed in yearning circles, doing Wayapa practice and bush dyeing to discuss traumas and violence experienced from institutions and harmful experiences with child protection.”

“Very importantly, the women also named the changes to policies and practices they want to see happen to reduce harm to Aboriginal families and create future practices for wellbeing and justice.”

Blak Women’s Healing collaborates with Arts House and YIRRAMBOI Festival to create educational and sharing opportunities for First Nations culture, inspiring young people to be creative with arts and cultural practice.

During the four-week Blak Women’s Healing program, Dr Balla’s installation and other spaces within the North Melbourne Town Hall will host communal gatherings including yarning circles, artist talks, live weaving, workshops and more.

“These outcomes and processes can and do inspire and encourage others who are struggling with mental health, trauma and stress and demonstrate that healing is possible and things can get better if we are heard, respected and with support, resources, we can be heard and heal,” Dr Balla said. •