Dreamweaving at Linden

Dreamweavers, an exhibition of woven works by Yvonne Koolmatrie and Victorian Indigenous artists opens at Linden – St Kilda Centre for Contemporary Arts at 2pm Saturday 30 June.

The exhibition features the work of 22 indigenous women from across Victoria who participated in a recent week-long workshop at Gasworks Art Park under the creative guidance of Yvonne Koolmatrie and renowned Victorian Aboriginal weavers Zelda Couzens, Edith Terrick and Dot Peters.

The exhibition, which runs to 22 July, also includes the work of Internationally acclaimed Ngarrindjeri artist, Yvonne Koolmatrie, who offers another perspective on fibrecraft as demonstrated through her innovative use of traditional techniques with non-traditional forms.

The exhibition will be complemented by woven baskets, eel-traps and a baby basket on loan from the Koori Heritage Trust.

Kim Kruger, the Indigenous Arts Officer at the City of Port Phillip, said that the exhibition will explore the interwoven connection between Indigenous communities, art and the land.

"Basket making was once very important to indigenous people. Items such as baskets, mats, baby carriers and eel traps were all made from fibres of locally grown plants including rushes, reeds, grasses and pine needles. Today in Victoria, this practice is continued by a handful of experienced basket makers who encourage emerging and beginning artists to gain basket weaving knowledge and skills," she said.

In conjunction with the Dreamweavers exhibition, Yvonne Koolmatrie will run three day-long weaving workshops from 10 am - 3 pm, Friday 6 July, Saturday 7 July and Sunday 8 July at Linden – St Kilda Centre for Contemporary Arts. Cost is $50 (per day) which includes lunch and materials. Places are strictly limited so bookings and pre-payment are essential, ph 9209 6794 or email linden@vicnet.net.au

City of Port Phillip Indigenous Arts Officer and Curator of the exhibition, Kim Kruger, will conduct a free floor talk at 3 pm, Sunday 22 July.

The Dreamweavers exhibition is open from 30 June - 22 July at
Linden - Centre for Contemporary Arts, 26 Acland St, St Kilda
Gallery hours: Tues - Sunday 1 - 6 pm. Enquiries: (03) 9209 6794
Linden website: www.vicnet.net.au/~linden

This project is presented by the City of Port Phillip's Indigenous Arts Unit, has been assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and is supported by Linden - St Kilda Centre for Contemporary Arts and South Melbourne Market.

10am – 3pm
Friday 6 July, Saturday 7 July & Sunday 8 July
Linden – St Kilda Centre for Contemporary Arts

This is a rare opportunity to work with internationally acclaimed Ngarrindjeri artist, Yvonne Koolmatrie. The one day workshops are suited to both experienced weavers and beginners. Koolmatrie will teach coiled basketry techniques which are highly adaptable and allow for the production of a broad range of forms and objects.

Koolmatrie teaches Ngarrindjeri rush weaving to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students so that the tradition itself may live on.

Cost: $50 (per day) includes materials and lunch
Class sizes are strictly limited to 20 participants so bookings and pre-payment are essential.
ph 9209 6794 or email linden@vicnet.net.au

back to top --^

About "dreamweavers"

All galleries 30 June – 22 July

Dreamweavers is an exhibition of woven works by Yvonne Koolmatrie and Victorian Indigenous artists.

Yvonne Koolmatrie is one of Australia’s leading weavers whose illustrious career includes representing Australia at the 1997 Venice Bienniale. She works in the rare form of Ngarrindjeri weaving, traditional to the Riverland country of South Australia, across the lower Murray River. This form of weaving was originally intended to produce eel traps from sedge grass reeds, selected for their fragrance and colour.

Koolmatrie’s more recent works have adapted the weaving technique for the purpose of narrative and as individual responses to tradition and materials.

Her work is appreciated for both its functional effectiveness and unique aesthetic beauty, hovering somewhere between sculpture in a purely Western art historical sense and the age old histories of her people.

Yvonne, together with leading Aboriginal basket weavers from Gippsland, the Western District, Healesville and Dandenong recently ran a week long workshop with younger Indigenous artists, including their own daughters and grandnieces.

The workshop leaders - Zelda Couzens, Edith Terrick, Dot Peters and Patricia Harrison - are renowned weavers in Aboriginal communities across Victoria.

The results of this workshop form Dreamweavers on show at Linden – St Kilda Centre for Contemporary Arts until Sunday 22 July.

Floor talk: City of Port Phillip Indigenous Arts Officer and Curator of Dreamweavers, Kim Kruger, will talk about the workshop and its resulting exhibition at

3pm Sunday 22 July
Linden - St Kilda Centre for Contemporary Arts

For further information call Linden on 03 9209 6794