In February 2021, the Indigenous Jewellery Project partnered with Australian Design Centre for a week of professional development workshops with Jaanymili Bawrrungga, a women’s group of Gumbaynggirr artists in the NSW mid-north coast town of Bawrrungga (Bowraville),
The Gumbaynggirr have inhabited the area for thousands of years. The word Bowra comes from the Gumbaynggirr place name, Bawrrung, which possibly means cabbage tree palm, or ‘bullrout fish’, ‘scrub turkey’ or ‘bald head’. There is a strong tradition of wood carving and jewellery making, which continues today.
Gumbaynggirr artists were invited to participate in a five-day contemporary jewellery making workshop. The professional workshop was attended by local artists who were introduced to jewellery making techniques, taught by Melinda Young (UNSW) including saw piercing, metal texturing, heat patination, cold-joining, making jewellery findings and air-dry clay beads, knotting and cordage, all with a focus on working with natural materials including locally collected native timber and shells.
Outcomes included necklaces, earrings and bracelets.
Previously these artists have been learning painting and ceramics at the Nambucca Valley Phoenix Community Support Services run by Jaanymili Bawrrungga Inc and Arcadian Creative Management in Bowraville.
These workshops offer a positive opportunity for local women to learn new skills and share this knowledge in the broader community.
In May 2021 the artists exhibited their work in a pop-up exhibition in ADC Object Store.
Artists included: Donna Brown, Jasmine Stadhams, Rebecca Stadhams, Lavinna Inglis, Monica Christine Inglis, Aunty Marjory Buchanon, Denise Buchanan, Anne Francine Edwards, Yarra Stedhams, Annalisa Wilson.
This was the third Indigenous Jewellery Project workshop Australian Design Centre has produced in partnership with founding curator Emily McCulloch Childs and leading contemporary jeweller Melinda Young.
This project was proudly supported by the NSW Government though Create NSW as part of Arts Restart.