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Gunga-na Dhum-nganjinu (The Stories We Hold Tightly) – Stationary Observation
2 May - 27 May
Isobel Morphy-Walsh
Gunga-na Dhum-nganjinu (The Stories We Hold Tightly) – Stationary Observation
02 May – 27 May 2022
hours:
Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 7pm
Saturdays: 12pm – 4pm
admission: Free
..we inherit stories older then recorded time. These orient us in the world and connect us as the next link in an unbroken and unending chain of survival and connection to this place…
With the support and presence of her family, Gunga-na Dhum-nganjinu (The Stories we Hold Tightly) – Stationary Observation is Isobel Morphy-Walsh attempt to visually explore and understand the culturally significant act of passing stories from one generation to another. Memory, myth, record and place are all woven together and filled with knowledge about how and why things are, were and will be.
We inherit stories older than recorded time. These orient us in the world and connect us as the next link in an unbroken and unending chain of survival and connection to this place. These stories guide us how to be and to see the inherent value in Country and what it nurtures and provides.
This exhibition looks at two fundamental parts of the intergenerational oral history tradition. For a story to survive over time and distance it must have gravitas to these who retell it. So what were old ones trying to tell us when we look at their stories or records or embellished memory? And knowing we are the next link in the chain, how do we record story, memory, narrative for our decedents so that it will stand the test of time?
The Head – The Family, holds, gives, hugs and receives
Culture and understanding is shaped by the collective. Especially in our cultures. Knowledge is itself sacred. And the holding, keeping, protecting and sharing of knowledge and culture and history is both simultaneously a personal and collective responsibility. Several members of the broader Walsh, Hamilton and Morphy families show some of their favourite stationary but moving piece, from the moment of conception documented in grass to the overlaying of knowledge and symbols once removed from Country through colonisation now returning.
The Body – I give, hold, hug and receive
Isobel Morphy-Walsh’s work explores the notions of Creation in two distinct ways. The first being to examine Biik (Bountry) and the creation of the landscape and thus the environment and culture that is infused into her bones and being. The second is through stationary object and image directly examining creation story and law.
This gallery show was commissioned by Yirramboi Festival and has received funding and support from Yirramboi Festival, City of Melbourne and Creative Victoria through the Creative Projects Fund.
To read more about or book tickets to Isobel’s theatrical performances – please visit the performance page.
Isobel Morphy-Walsh, a proud Nirim Baluk woman from the Taun Wurrung (Taungurung) people. She is a lover of anecdote, an artist, an activist, an educator, a singer, a storyteller and a weaver. Isobel has spent her life working with her community and our cultures with a particular emphasis on history, culture, country and its importance today.
Isobel’s creative practise is wide ranging and includes many mediums; weaving, lino printing, painting, fabric creation, woodwork, cultural objects and adornments and more recently working with metals.
Her artwork can be found in state collections, over walls she passes or on the bodies of people she knows. Many a yarn, spoken word and song can be heard in her presence. Both can be found on the internet.
Isobel has worked to deliver many major events, compressive education suites, and engaged in curatorial work with a strong and deliberate focus on First Nations cultures, communities, histories, art, expressions, and engagement. She has spent time looking into the need to decolonise galleries, libraries and museums, particularly through the treatment and interpretation of artworks, objects, images, histories and narratives and the communities they come from, and approaches taken in development.
Beginner’s Weaving Workshop (Coil Weave)
Where: fortyfivedownstairs Gallery
When: Saturday 20 May from 1pm-3pm
Admission Fee: $50.00 for a two hour workshop with all materials provided
*FREE entry for First Nations and Indigenous peoples (4 spaces available). Please contact Isobel on [email protected] if you are mob wishing to use one of these spaces.
Over two hours, in a relaxed space, you will learn the basics of weaving. This beginner weaving workshop will teach you some basic coiling skills. Isobel Morphy-Walsh celebrates and brings her cultural weaving practice to the gallery and have a go at a weave yourself. Isobel uses a range of fibers to weave with ranging from natural to recycled and reclaimed fibers. Today we will be using traditional grasses to work with.
Join us to begin work on a matt or basket using the traditional coil weaving technique. Learn about the fiber and the oldest continually used stitch. A stitch of time if you will! And then leave with your creations and an understanding about the strength of fiber.
Isobel Morphy-Walsh is a proud nirim baluk woman from the Taun Wurrung (Taungurung) Nation. She is a lover of anecdote, an artist, activist, educator, curator, storyteller and weaver. Isobel’s creative practice is wide ranging and includes: weaving, lino printing, painting, paper making, fabric creation, woodwork, cultural objects and adornments, and more recently metals.
Please call 9662 9966 to book over the phone or pay on the day.
RSVP to [email protected]
Beginner’s Weaving Workshop (Stringybark and Bush/Urban Toys)
Where: fortyfivedownstairs Gallery
When: Saturday 27 May from 1pm-3pm
Admission Fee: $50.00 for a two hour workshop with all materials provided
*FREE entry for First Nations and Indigenous peoples (4 spaces available). Please contact Isobel on [email protected] if you are mob wishing to use one of these spaces.
Isobel Morphy-Walsh celebrates and brings her cultural weaving practice to the gallery and invites you to have a go at a weave yourself. Isobel uses a range of fibers to weave with ranging from natural to recycled and reclaimed fibers. In this workshop, we will be using both stringy bark and reclaimed recycled materials!
Making string is one of the oldest technologies in the world and has multitudes of uses. Learn how to make string and perhaps make a simple headband. Once you understand how string is created we will move on to explore the creation of a little bush animal. There will be a range of materials available ranging from natural (bush) to reclaimed and recycled cotton yarn and papers (Urban) to create with.
Isobel Morphy-Walsh is a proud nirim baluk woman from the Taun Wurrung (Taungurung) Nation. She is a lover of anecdote, an artist, activist, educator, curator, storyteller and weaver. Isobel’s creative practice is wide ranging and includes: weaving, lino printing, painting, paper making, fabric creation, woodwork, cultural objects and adornments, and more recently metals.
Please call 9662 9966 to book over the phone or pay on the day.
RSVP to [email protected]
Image credit: Victoria Morphy