WADI Wadi woman from Balranald and award-winning artist Aunty Robyn Davis has had her art displayed in galleries and exhibitions all over the country, including Parliament House.
In collaboration with Wadi Wadi women in her family, Ms Davis’ latest exhibition, Sista Girls, is a collection of contemporary art and craft that aims to show the women’s ties to the river and bush of the Mallee region.
The exhibition is on display at The Balranald Art Gallery until October 1.
“People have come and have made very positive comments,” Ms Davis said.
Ms Davis said she hoped the exhibition could show visitors her daughter Brooke Peace and her nieces Nicole and Tracy Davis’s long-running tradition of creating art in their family.
The collection heavily features the use of natural materials that were foraged as well as upcycled materials.
“There are pieces that are all about creation, connection and re-creation,” Ms Davis said.
“It’s about how everything that lives on country is affected by the elements, and how the elements work to constantly create, and re-create.”
Ms Davis said her favourite work was a piece called “Spirit of Mother Earth”, a group of colourful mannequins adorned with stones, fabric, fibres and animal skin.
In the piece, she used feathers from budgerigars for the piece instead of feathers from eagles, emus or magpies which are more commonly used in contemporary First Nations art.
“I feel like everyone forgets about the budgerigar – they’re so pretty and also native to Australia,” she said.
Some mannequins are adorned with fur from kangaroo and possum showing how Wadi Wadi people would protect themselves during colder months.
“The two furs work in completely different ways,” Ms Davis said.
“The possum fur is actually insulate: each little piece of fur is hollow.
“In the winter time, it was worn with the skin facing out so the fur facing in would keep you warm.”
Ms Davis said while she spent months creating the pieces for Sista Girls, the exhibition might be her last due to her struggle with arthritis.
“My hand has trouble because of arthritis, and everything takes too long and I get frustrated,” she said.
Ms Davis said collaborating with her family on Sista Girls was like passing down the torch of creating art to tell stories.
“This is the first time my daughter and my nieces have exhibited anything,” she said.
“But I hope they can continue to create and showcase their talents.”
