& hope promise

Bendigo’s first Indigenous art gallery gives First Nations people the opportunity to share their stories and connect curious patrons to their culture.

By Dianne Dempsey - Photography by Leon Schoots

Bendigo’s first Indigenous art gallery is called Djaa Djuwima, which means to share Country. Given the tragic history of the First Nations people, the desire to now share a culture that was once under attack must be seen as a generous one.

Fortunately, this willingness to share has been reciprocated by the hundreds of people who have been attending the gallery. First Nations arts officer Aunty Janet Bromley says that since Djaa Djuwima opened in December 2022, members of the public have been coming through in huge numbers, about 2000 people a month. “These numbers are important to know because we can demonstrate that we have great support for future expansion,” Janet says.

“And the people who come through, both local and from elsewhere, want to know about the past: what was here, what our people did, what happened to them. I tell the story when I can, but while the City of Greater Bendigo has been great in supporting a gallery, there’s no funding for someone to be in attendance all the time.”

Janet relishes the moments when she is in the gallery. “One day when I was there, a young boy was talking to his father and trying to work out why the shield we had on display was so small. I was able to explain to the boy that if he looked behind the shield, he would see a handle. I told him our men would hold the shield out from their body, to deflect the spears as they came towards them.”

Before the exhibition opened, curator Janet called for expressions of interest from local First Nations artists. They were told the overarching theme was how they connected to Dja Dja Wurrung Country. The 22 artists selected used a variety of mediums, including oils, acrylic, natural fibres and ochre. As well as exhibiting, the artists have the opportunity to sell their work. As the gallery isn’t staffed, potential buyers can contact the artists through the information accompanying their works. While the resulting sales and commissions are gratifying, so is the interest of buyers in the cultural context of the work they buy.

Dja Dja Wurrung and Bangerang artist Kerri Douglas uses a variety of mediums that reflect her Aboriginal heritage. “I love it when people want to talk about the stories in the work. I tell them, we’re all connected when we’re on Country. We may appear different, but we’re all the same,” she says.

“For example, when I tell people about the ochre pit, they get it straight away.” Kerri’s work often employs multi-shaded ochres she sources from an ochre pit near her home. “Everyone wants to know where the pit is,” she laughs, “but it’s a bit like a fishing spot – it’s our secret.”

One of the characteristics of the exhibition is that family members are displayed side by side. Kerri’s daughter Jacinta also has work in the exhibition. Artist Georgina Risley says that when her girls Ally and Paige Charles were living at home, they often painted together.

“It’s a family pastime and a way of relaxing,” she says simply. Like Kerri Douglas, Georgina uses her commissions as a chance to explain her culture to buyers. The vivid colours of her work, the totems such as Bunjil and the long-neck turtle are all footsteps towards a shared culture.

This need of visitors to gain more insight into the First Nations history around Bendigo has become increasingly apparent to Janet Bromley since she came to Bendigo 10 years ago. A Yorta Yorta woman who grew up in Gippsland, Janet raised her children and grandchildren in Melbourne. When she moved to Bendigo, she completed a Master of Visual Art at La Trobe University and supported the NAIDOC Knuldoorong Art Exhibition. Using traditional and contemporary methods, she is herself an artist, a beautiful weaver. A granddaughter of the Stolen Generation, this is one of the stories she tells when she talks to visitors.

“We believe that from birth, your mother is your Country. And the woman who birthed you, and all the women are your mother. They are there to look after you, to grow you up to a certain stage. And if you are a boy, then you sit at some stage in a meeting where you are taught by the men. The old people are bedded in the Country. If someone dies, the old, old wise people become trees. There are grandfather and grandmother trees, because those trees are grandmothers and grandfathers.

“In the early days, our people were likely to get killed if they walked around their Country, so they were taken into missions to protect them but the missionaries didn’t like the story of our Country, of Mother Earth. But we have kept it alive, still.

“I’ve heard white people say Aboriginal people are not around anymore. But I am here. These local artists are here. That’s why this gallery is so important – to show who we are.”

The exhibition runs until April 14 and will be followed by further exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. For inquiries about artists and exhibitions, contact j.bromley@bendigo.vic.gov.au

AN ENTHUSIASTIC AND PASSIONATE TEAM OF CHEFS IN THE PERCY KITCHEN CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO PERFECT OUR MENU WITH TRADITIONAL CAFÉ FARE AND MODERN ON-TREND DISHES.

With locally sourced meats from award-winning butcher, Flora Hill Quality Meats, and local produce from Bendigo Fresh, our chefs convert these ingredients into fabulous fare, inspired by the Melbourne brunch aesthetic.

If your stomach is still not satisfied, there’s a stunning array of cakes, muffins and scones baked daily and carefully sourced from Peddling Pastry in Castlemaine.