Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre
The Grafton Knitting Nannas Against Gas and Greed were invited to contribute to the "One Spirit, One Voice" Exhibition. The exhibition featured the work of eight talented indigenous artists and illustrations of the work of the Knitting Nannas in their campaigning to protect the environment from unsustainable and damaging development.
As Alison Williams, the Gallery's Creative Director, states in the exhibition catalogue: "One Spirit, One Voice evokes a sense of connection and of belonging. It speaks to caring for country and the common growing perception of what that entails."
Before the exhibition opened three of the Grafton Nannas and one Poppa installed a spectacular yarn bomb near the gallery entrance. It was made possible by a great deal of knitting and some crocheting by Grafton Nannas with contributions from the Lismore Nannas. And the installing Nannas - and the Poppa - were all tuckered out by the time they were finished with the winding and attaching and so on!
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| Some of the knitting used in the yarn bomb installation. Photo: L Blain |
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| Close up of three sections of installation. Photo: L Eggins |
The official opening of the exhibition took place on March 30. It followed presentations on the history of Yarrawarra, some wonderful aboriginal dance and a magnificent buffet lunch which included bush tucker.
The Nannas' contributions to the exhibition included material from the Grafton Loop as well as from the Lismore Nannas and others who have been involved in Nanna campaigning. One of the Nannas' prize exhibits was Nanna Erica's Nanna Kerry, that well-travelled and dynamic campaigner from southern Queensland.
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| Nanna K showing her knitting skills and enjoying the limelight. Photo: L Blain |
And others showed how innovative the Nannas have been in their campaigning. Nanna Lynette's big knitting needles which have been on tour to various Nanna conferences have always attracted a great deal of interest.
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| Large knitting needles & big yarn with crocheted triangle. Photo: L Eggins |
And then there were the knitted chains which came into being as a response to the State Government's draconian anti-protester legislation several years ago. These were used at knit-ins to highlight the Nannas concerns about the authoritarian moves to limit the community's right to protest. The Nannas remain concerned that these laws still remain on the statute books - indeed they were later strengthened.
Other exhibits included photos of a Grafton knit-in, highlights from three of the Nanna conferences and a copy of the Nannifesto.
The exhibition is open until May 27.
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| Entrance to the Wadjar Gallery with yarn bombing in place. Photo: L Blain |
