Skills share program has artist back in her country

An artist residency program at Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation has seen an Australian Aboriginal artist who has exhibited internationally return to her grandmother’s Yindjibarndi country to teach and learn more about her heritage.

Katie West is one of the four artists selected by Juluwarlu to be part of their Nyinart Yinda program which aims to empower locals by developing their cultural roots through artist workshops.

A Juluwarlu spokeswoman said the group was excited to be hosting West, a young artist of Yindjibarndi descent who had exhibited in Melbourne’s Next Wave festival, in Europe and the US. She said the program would be a two-way learning process for West learning more about her Yindjibarndi culture and history from community members while also sharing her artistic skills.

West’s art explores themes of intergenerational trauma, connection to country and decolonisation.

With Juluwarlu, West spent the past two weeks conducting workshops in bush dyeing, which allow artists and local community members to experience their country through its colours and how they interact with fabric. The artist residency program is part of Juluwarlu’s multi-faceted five-year Nyinyart Yinda Arts, Language and Cultural Futures Plan which began earlier this year.

For more information, go to juluwarlu.com.au.