GALLERY ONE | WURRI-KI ART | NORM JURRAWAA STANLEY & NIKKI MCKENZIE
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
SAT 26 AUG 4.00PM - FRI 22 SEP 5.00PM
OPENING EVENT SAT 26 AUG, 4.00-6.00PM
FREE TO ATTEND
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Monday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday closed
Sunday closed
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Platform Arts is wheelchair-accessible via our Gheringhap St entrance. Unlocked, accessible bathrooms are available on both ground and first floors.
For accessibility enquiries, please directly contact us at hello@platformarts.org.au
Please note, Platform Arts is a dry venue.
“Our stories are the oldest stories in the world. Our Ancestors passed these stories down to us over thousands of years and across hundreds of generations.
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME is the first major solo presentation of works by Norm Stanley and Nikki McKenzie. Together, as Wurri-ki Art and Wurri-ki Culture, they create, educate, and celebrate their knowledge practices as First Nations individuals, partners, and collaborators.
We are creating our own stories of life and Culture as we live and continue on in our Ancestors footsteps. We are the oldest storytellers in the World and we are proud to belong to the oldest surviving storytellers in History. Now we have a role to play, we have become the holders of these stories. We are now the Keepers of the Flame.”
"Keepers of the Flame." This is an integral piece of my belief system. When I first started thinking about the most suitable title for our exhibition, I kept coming back to this. Everything we learn becomes our knowledge to carry. Every story we hear becomes a part of that knowledge. Every lesson we are taught becomes a part of that knowledge. It builds strength inside. It establishes a powerful foundation on which to build more knowledge and strength. What we learn isn't ours to keep like a secret. It's ours to pass on, to share. It's not an obligation. It's a responsibility. Obligation is an act that an individual is morally bound to do. A responsibility is a duty that you are required or expected to do. I am responsible for the knowledge I hold. The knowledge shared with me by my senior people, my elders and old people is shared with me with the expectation that I will honour them and pass on that knowledge. That knowledge becomes the "flame". It is my responsibility to take care of my flame. I use my hands to protect that flame. To allow it to burn. I use my hands to share through Art, through music and through writing. Sharing Culture, connection and understanding. Giving respect and paying respect to those who connect with me. My hands become the shield that protects the knowledge, the flame. My hands become an important part of passing on the stories that were passed on to me. This is responsibility. A role I have to fulfil. I am the "Keeper of the Flame.”
- Norm Jurrawaa Stanley
For sales and enquiries, please contact curator@platformarts.org.au.
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Wurri-ki Art
www.wurrikiculture.com.au
@wurrikiart
“We are Wurri-ki Art. Wurri-ki means to speak in Wadawurrung language and collectively we speak through our Art. Every artwork has a story that needs to be shared. We have different styles and work across mixed mediums and collaborate on every piece of work we create. Our inspiration is Country and Nature. We believe there is no greater way to connect with our Ancestors than living our Dreaming. “
Norm Jurrawaa Stanley
@wurrikiculture | @wurrikiart
“I am a proud Aboriginal man with heritage connected to the Kurnai and Wotjabaluk people of Victoria. I am a musician, artist and storyteller born here on Wadawurrung Country. I am a proud father of 5 children who were all born and live here on Wadawurrung Country too. Sharing the love I have for my Culture is my life passion. I follow in the footsteps of my ancestors by honoring and sharing the stories of land, life and culture through the many different art forms that I am continuing to practice. I have over 25 years’ experience in education, music and art.”
Below is a statement that I wrote and believe in as I walk my journey: “Our stories are the oldest stories in the world. Our ancestors passed these stories down to us over thousands of years and across hundreds of generations. Now we have a role to play, we have become the holders of these stories. We are now the Keepers of the Flame.”
Nikki McKenzie
@wurrikiculture | @wurrikiart | @xnikkijeanx
“I am a proud Aboriginal Woman with heritage connecting me to Wadawurrung Country. I was born and raised in Warrnambool, Gunditjmara Country. Now finding Geelong home for the past 8 years. I am a proud mum of 2 spectacular children, who also share my creative passion. I draw my inspiration from Country and nature, of these beautiful unceded lands of now Australia. I work in a variety of mediums and enjoy trying new methods to broaden my artistic range.”
ARTISTS
