Wyndham Art Gallery will stage the major exhibition WILAM BIIK focused on the Home Country of First Nations artists from South-East Australia, from 27 October to 18 December 2022.
Wilam Biik means “Home Country” in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. The exhibition will invite visitors to appreciate how First Nations people see, listen and connect to Country.
The exhibition features new work from contemporary artists including:
- Paola Balla (Wemba Wemba, Gundjitmara)
- Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung)
- Kent Morris (Barkindji)
- Glenda Nicholls (Ngarrindjeri and Yorta Yorta)
- Steven Rhall (Taungurung)
- Nannette Shaw (Tyereelore, Trawoolway, Bunurong),
- Kim Wandin (Wurundjeri)
- Arika Waulu (Gunditjmara, Djapwurrung, Gunnai)
- The Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri Women’s Dance Group (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai Illum Wurrung).
WILAM BIIK is curated by Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Stacie Piper who says the exhibition is about exploring the true spirit of ourselves, which is found within the spirit of Country.
“Our Wilam Biik is the soil, the land, the water, the air, the sky, and the animals residing within. The only home we know, which we honour for its sacred exchange. A home where custodial rights and responsibilities never left. May this place you call home become a deeper part of you.”
“Experiencing Country through a First Nations lens provides a perspective which can inspire, give insight and knowledge, and affirm and re-establish a fundamental connection with nature. This is critical to the wellbeing of people, nature and the planet.”
“My hope is that each person walks away inspired, in awe of the beauty of Country, and empowered with a personal sense of connection and responsibility,” Ms Piper said.
Director of the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Victoria Lynn, says “This is an exhibition of an innate and unsevered connection between First Peoples and Home Country. We are thrilled that this exhibition will tour to other communities in regional Victoria”.
WILAM BIIK is a TarraWarra Museum of Art exhibition touring with NETS Victoria, curated by Stacie Piper.
TarraWarra Museum of Art, NETS Victoria, the artists and the curator of WILAM BIIK respectfully acknowledge and celebrate the continuing culture and custodianship of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples on whose lands this exhibition is presented and all communities across Australia.
