Words and photos by Jenni Mazaraki

I just wanted to stay in this space.

It was quiet and calm and a grey light shone through the large window at the end of the gallery, gently highlighting the textured works. When I look at weaving, I stop to count threads and materials. The sheer amount of work and effort required to create the pieces stops me in my tracks. I picture the works being made with intention and purpose. I picture conversations in action whilst the work is being made.

Weaving Country is the current exhibition at the Roslyn Smorgon Gallery at Footscray Community Arts Centre. The exhibition features work from 15 women artists from the Victorian Aboriginal Weavers Collective.

Artists include Sandra Aitken, Eileen Alberts, Donna Blackall, Lee Darroch, Debbie Flower, Gail Harradine, Cassie Leatham, Denise Morgan-Bulled, Greta Morgan, Glenda Nicholls, Kathy Nicholls, Marilyne Nicholls, Eva Ponting, Bronwyn Razem and Lisa Waup. Curated by Vicki Couzens and Hannah Presley, the exhibition was part of the Wominjeka Festival 2017.

The work tells stories of family, kinship, the environment and traditions brought together in a collection of woven artworks.

I took so many photos, I’ll let the images speak for themselves.

Weaving Country is on until April 1 2017 at the Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Footscray Community Arts Centre.

(Feature image Unfinished Business by Denise Morgan-Bulled and Greta Morgan.)