A major exhibition of Indigenous fashion design is coming this year
Photography by Wade Lewis via Bendigo Art Gallery
Words by Maeve Kerr-Crowley
Plus a panel event with the curator and designers.
Australia’s Indigenous communities are producing so much incredible design talent, and it’s not given nearly enough recognition.
To shine a light on these creatives, Bendigo Art Gallery has put together the country’s first major exhibition exclusively featuring contemporary Indigenous design.
Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion brings together the work of both established and emerging First Nations designers and artists.
Included in the exhibition are Lyn-Al Young, Grace Lillian-Lee, Maree Clarke, Lisa Waup x Verner, Babbarra Women’s Centre and more.
‘Piinpi’ is a word commonly used in a number of different Indigenous languages and refers to ‘seasonal changes’ and the regeneration of Country. It was chosen as the name of the exhibition because of the significant influence Country and the land have on the work of many First Nations artists.
To give you an in-depth look at the curation and end result of this showcase, Bendigo Art Gallery has partnered with VAMFF to host a discussion panel during the festival.
The free event will dive into the relationship between art, culture and the seasons for creatives across the country. The exhibition’s curator, Shonae Hobson, will be on the panel, along with Lyn-Al Young, Grace Lillian-Lee and the National Gallery of Victoria’s Curator of Indigenous Art, Myles Russell-Cook.
This panel discussion will be held in the Queen Victoria Gardens at MPavilion on Saturday March 7 – you can find more information here. The exhibition will then kick off at Bendigo Art Gallery from July 18 to October 18, with tickets available here.
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