STILL HERE, NOW (2022)

STILL HERE, NOW (2022)

"Of all the things you have been called, I will write to you in the name you must be known by. Ancestor." – Professor Chelsea Watego

Still Here, Now presented works curated and created by First Nations artists placed on Wadawurrung Country. The curation was led by proud Gunditjmara Keerray Wooroong women Tarryn Love and Kelsey Love, alongside Naarm-based artist and researcher Jahkarli Romanis.

“As an array of First Nations creatives on Wadawurrung Country, we have come together to demonstrate what it means to be, “Still here, now”. The range of cultural and creative practices included in this show celebrates our diversity, demonstrating the narrative sovereignties present in each of our works. These sovereignties are informed and made known to us by our relationships with our Ancestors.

Our work acknowledges how we continue to survive, despite our determined existence and the challenges presented to us in the face of colonialism. The work of Professor Chelsea Watego in her piece “Dear Ancestor”, questions how, as First Nations people, can we thrive in a setting that was not built for us? Our responsibilities of our being, here, now are driven by the force and feeling of those behind us, but also what we leave for those beyond us. Our work is a celebration of our stories, our experiences, our connection to place, Country and family, and to each other. We were made to be good Ancestors.”

ARTISTS & CURATORS

Lowell Hunter

Marlene Gilson

Kait James

Tarni Jarvis

Alchemy Orange (Shahn Stewart)

Kelsey Love

Tarryn Love

Jahkarli Romanis

Tammy Gilson

Norm Stanley

Co-curated by Kelsey Love, Tarryn Love & Jahkarli Romanis.

Commissioned by Platform Arts. Supported by the Anthony Costa Foundation.

DATES

Exhibition 21 January 2022 - 18 February 2022

Artist Talk 12 February

Closing Night event 18 Feburary, 6.00pm

“We sold over $12,650 in artworks and were able to donate our 20% commission ($2,530.00) to First Nations charities Djirra, Blak Pearl, and the Dhadjowa Foundation, with the remaining $10,120 going to the exhibiting artists.
”

— Tarryn Love