Bundjalung and beyond are lands steeped in complex woven histories and identities. The Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition shares the histories and identities of women who bring forth ancient weaving practices and knowledge systems.
Held over three regional galleries located on Bundjalung Country in the Northern Rivers region of NSW (Grafton, Lismore, Murwillumbah), this ground-breaking exhibition; Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali, presents new work by contemporary First Nations artists responding to their great grandmother’s artistry of weaving alongside historic ancestral woven objects from the Australian Museum collection.
“Proudly, like our ancestors we have adapted to the environmental changes, to the new ways, but with each step, each decade, each generation, the new leaders will remember the footprints of the old ways.”
– Rhoda Roberts AO, 2023
This exhibition and the publication ‘Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali... We Weave Together’ is an appendage project preserving the intricate weaving practices of Bundjalung women. Over the past four years, Arts Northern Rivers has conducted workshops where local weavers generously shared their knowledge and techniques with Aboriginal communities across the Bundjalung region. These workshops unified women and girls from Bundjalung and beyond, creating a culturally safe space to share culture and stories and connect through weaving. The exhibition and publication are a comprehensive compilation documenting women's journeys, capturing stories of revered Elders and weavers, historical materials, and traditional plant species and techniques. This exhibition has deep support and desire from the community members (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to be realised. It is not just an exhibition for the community, it represents a returning of elders, of ancestral objects, and reclamation of cultural weaving for contemporary cultural expression.
“The earth is our greatest teacher, our knowledge holder and our divine authority.”
– Aunty Lauren Jarrett, 2023
The Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali Exhibition is an extension of a long-form Aboriginal and community-led project in weaving reclamation on Bundjalung Country. New works from Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Kamilaroi (Gamilaroi) weavers have been commissioned alongside 9 ancestral woven objects that featured in the exhibition.
Presented by Arts Northern Rivers and curated Kylie Caldwell. Elders and weavers include: Bindimu, Casino Wake Up Time, Janelle Duncan, Madeleine Grace, Lauren Jarrett, Tania Marlowe, Bianca Monaghan, Krystal Randall, Rhoda Roberts AO, Kyra Togo and Margaret Torrens.
“To collect and hold the sacred materials of countless generations somehow makes time shift, and reality shape change. Troubles fall away for an hour or a day while the reeds or vinesor feathers move in and out of the other strands, we see the underlying lessons that change is ever constant.”
– Melissa Lucashenko, 2023
Practical Info
Be part of this historic reunion and experience the powerful revival of ancient weaving traditions yourself.
Grafton Regional Gallery: 21 Dec 2024 - 9 Feb 2025 (Opening event Saturday 21 December)
Tweed Regional Gallery: 22 Feb 2025 - 27 April 2025
Lismore Regional Gallery: 12 Sep 2025 - 9 Nov 2025
Free entry
