First Nations printmaking Wyndham Community Centres

Wyndham City Council

Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Center, Bunurong and Wadawurrung Country, Victoria

Artbox collaborated with Wyndham City Council to manage the concept and design phases for integrated public art commissions by First Nations artists for four new community centres - Bembit Bag-root, Koomail Tardy, Lollypop Creek and Truganina. The artworks were to reflect the identity of the community centres as places of gathering, where people of all different and diverse backgrounds and cultures can come together and learn from one another.

As part of the creative program, a printmaking initiative was established to create a suite of Fine Art prints for permanent display. Artbox engaged four visual artists and an experienced printmaker to lead the printmaking workshop - Ellie Franks (Gubbi Gubbi), Deanne Gilson (Wadwurrung), Marlene Gilson (Wadwurrrung), and Edwina Green (Trawlwoolway) and and printmaker Trent Walter.

The overarching curatorial concept of "Foregrounding" was central to all commissions for the four new Community Centres. "Foregrounding" prioritises Indigenous knowledge and ways of being to foster a deeper understanding of place, story, and connection. Artists were asked to explore the curatorial themes of maternal care, nature, healing, play and connection - elements vital to thriving communities and the identity of the community centres as gathering places.

Rather than having the artists visit a print studio, experienced printmaker Trent Walter conducted a workshop at the Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre. The centre is designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue and true cultural exchange in a gathering place. This reversed approach centred Indigenous voices on Country, making the artistic process visible to community members and staff.

Artists were supported in experimenting and developing their skills in the art of printmaking. Each artist created two original prints, resulting in a portfolio of eight works reproduced in four editions, with complete sets displayed across each centre.

The finished portfolio reflects a strong sense of community, connection, kinship, and inclusivity - made up of artwork from an intergenerational selection of strong Indigenous female artists, with varying artistic practices and languages. This project aligns with Artbox's foundational pursuit of facilitating artists to create meaningful connections to culture and ways of being through placemaking and art-making.

Video interviews: Ellie Franks, Deanne Gilson, Marlene Gilson, Edwina Green and Trent Walter