The Mob in Focus Showcase reflects on the last 12 months which have been an intense time for Aboriginal peoples. To acknowledge this year’s NAIDOC – Keep the fire burning Blak, loud and proud, the Mob in Focus Showcase provides a space for local Aboriginal creatives to express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings.

STA brought together 20 Aboriginal creatives from across the region for this inspiring showcase.

Alfie Walker, Ashleigh Croker, Alice Barker, Jodie Munday, Mitch Summerfield, Gail Neus, Sarah Levett,  Dashanti Carr, Aryssa McAlister, Dru McAlister, Trish Whitburn, Kim Morrison, Pam Luke, Wallabindi, Jess Plumb, Stewart James, Lisa Fuller, Jerikye Williams, Teena Riley, and Cecilia McKenzie. 

Please browse through the works and contact us about acquiring any pieces you love. 

7-14 July 2024 NAIDOC ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’
Celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

Gymea Lilly – Loyalty of our Women, 2024 
Possum Skin Pelt, Burnt Artwork, framed. 
40 x 50cm
$400 Enquiries

Alfie Walker
Alfie is a Wiradjuri gibir (man), who is a local community leader, having previously served on Pejar LALC as a board member and is a former Deputy Mayor and Councillor to Goulburn Mulwaree Council. Alfie is a well known local story teller and is not telling his stories through Contemporary Aboriginal rock painting and digital Aboriginal art. Follow Alfie on Facebook.

Ashleigh Croker
My name is Ashleigh Croker, I was born and raised in Goulburn and I am a proud Bundjalung woman and I am 23 years old. I am currently a board member of the Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council and I am currently helping out in the office. I have a small business called Trinket Treasures where I make handmade keychains ect. I love to watch movies, be outside especially at the water and I love to do water sports.My art is deeply influenced by the connection between nature and culture, the landscapes, traditions, and stories woven into the fabric of the land, inspire my work. Through my art, I aim to honour the spirit of the land and share the profound sense of belonging and respect that comes from immersing oneself in the natural world. Visit Ashleigh’s website

Keep the Fires Burning – Camping on Country, 2024
Digital art
30cm by 30cm
$180  Enquiries

Burnings, 2024
Digital art
A4
NFS

Alice Barker
Alice is a proud Aboriginal women, living in Queanbeyan. She is an out-going creative, who works with digital art, physical art, poetry with aims to  to write a book of poem one day. 

 

The golden wattle tree, 2024
Acrylic & Mixed media on canvas
Price on enquiry Enquiries

Golden Wattle tree
A poem by Alice Barker

The golden wattle tree has been around for thousands of years.

The Indigenous people of Australia have used this beautiful tree for ceremonies.

The golden wattle tree has been a connection & spiritual connection to our people & to the land.

When the wattle blossoms bright yellow it represents the sun, source of life & energy.

The golden wattle tree still stands & blossoms today.

The golden wattle tree has seen & felt a lot of change since the beginning.

The Golden Wattle tree.

Aryssa McAlister
Aryssa McAlister is a proud Wiradjuri artist known for her vibrant and evocative works that celebrate her Aboriginal heritage. Aryssa’s art features intricate patterns, bold colors, and storytelling elements that reflect her deep connection to her ancestry. Her pieces often explore themes of identity, community, and the resilience of Indigenous cultures, using a variety of mediums such as painting and digital art. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Aryssa is also an advocate for Aboriginal rights and cultural preservation. She actively participates in community projects and is an active member of the Pejar Local Aboriginal Lands. Vist Aryssa’s website The Daisy Tree and follow her on instagram @the_daisytree

As a proud Wiradjuri artist, my work celebrates my Aboriginal heritage and ties to my people and mob. Through the vibrant colors I aim to be unique, wanting my art to catch the eye and be an advocate for my people. My art aims to connect, inspire, and educate, fostering a deeper appreciation of Aboriginal culture and its ongoing significance.

Not Silent, 2024
Digital Artwork
210mm x 297mm
Price on enquiry
Enquiries

Dru McAlister
Hi, I am a proud Wiradjuri woman. I am a board member of the local Aboriginal Land Council. I am a proud mother of a beautiful little boy. I like to do various arts and crafts, candle making and keeping active. 
My artwork is a humbling opportunity to learn new things about community. The colours, lines and shapes I use seek to emulate how otherwordly they seem in todays society and bringing communities together. 

Communities, 2024
Digital Artwork
210mm x 297mm
Price on enquiry
Enquiries

gail with skin - mob in focus (1)

Nura Nganymitung (Grandmothers Country), 2024
Poker work on kangaroo skin
Price on enquiry
Enquiries

Gail Neuss
Gail is a proud Ngarigo women, whose art is her councelling. Let this roo skin be a reminder of the strength and resilience of our heritage. The hands holding the spirit of your Granddaughter and Great- Granddaughter embedded into your story. Guided by mountains, rivers and animal tracks, you will always be home.

Jeriky Williams
Jerikye is a Wiradjuri man, born in Cowra and living in Queanbeyan on Ngambri/Ngunnawal land. Jerikye is said to have been born with a guitar in his hand and a great love for 1950’s and 60’s rock’n roll. Jerikye embodies the spirit of great artists with effortless musicianship and charisma. A natural showman, he lights up any stage, whether performing classics or his own original songs. See more of his band, Jerikye and The Crawdads

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Cecilia McKenzie
Cecilia is the producer of this Mob in Focus Showcase and is a proud Wiradjuri woman and First Nations advocate. Cecilia is a dedicated connector and educator who is passionate about self determination, and learning from the past to inform a better future. Driven by a desire to empower others, Cecilia leans into her lived experience to inspire and inform with stories of recovery and renewal. 

Cecilia is also a vocalist, actor and public speaker who has performed on multiple stages across Australia, using the power of story and song for conveying hope and sharing perspectives. When not a stage speaking or performing, Cecilia is living life to the full with her beautiful daughters and partner on their rural property in the Southern Tablelands. See more of Cecilia at her website www.ceciliamckenzie.com.au

Our video- Songs under the Grandparent tree.
Tree’s hold sacred significance to Aboriginal people particularly old eucalypts as they live for a long time and they drawn into their limbs and branches the stories and history of the country they reside on.

Triston and I decided to honour country this NAIDOC week with our song, “Under the Milky Way” written by Steve Kilby and Karin Jannson. This song was also famously covered by Uncle Jimmy Little. We honour him with this song also.
Keep the fire burning-Blak, loud and proud!

 

Cecilia McKenzie
Profile pic

Guiding Sparks, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
30cm x 30cm 
$200 Enquiries

Jess Plumb 
Jess lives in rural NSW and is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman and Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, raised with a strong connection to Culture and Country. Working with Acrylics and digital art, she draws Inspiration from the natural world and life experiences. Follow Jess on instagram @mirrinmi_aboriginal_art

Lisa profile

Keeping My Fire Burning, 2024
Driftwood Stainless steel Wood finishing 
and sealing mixture lighting electrical
1000 x 290mm
NFS

 

Lisa Fuller
My name is Lisa Fuller, a proud Yuin and Yorta Yorta Woman and live on Gundungurra Country. I have been an avid collector of rocks since I was a child and as I got older I started collecting pieces of wood, sticks and other things that I found interesting. I’ve gained a fair size collection of wood, rocks and other plant material, most I’ve found myself and some are purchased from other rock and wood enthusiasts.

I love being out on Country – it gives me grounding and connection. I don’t particularly go to forage but when I see something that catches my eye, I always ask Country and Ancestors if I can take it home with me – most of the time I can and sometimes it’s a “no” and that’s ok, I have respect. I am particularly fond of driftwood and in 2022, started teaching myself (with the help of a few YouTube videos) how to create lamps, sculptures, dishes and pictures. My inspiration comes from all of my senses, emotions, heart and things I see in my daily life.I will soon start to sell my creations and am very keen to create ‘made to order’ with something out of my own collection or with a piece that someone has brought to me.

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Caring for Country 2024
Digital Artwork
A3
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

Sarah Levett
I’m a proud queer Wiradjuri and Gundungurra woman who travels frequently. My artworks are inspired by country and the beautiful places I get to see and connect with daily. Find out more about Sarah at her website www.sarahlevett.com

I created an artwork based off home on Wiradjuri Country in Harden. I created this artwork to show the importance of country, community and culture to help ground and support us during hardships and to keep the fire burning.

Stewart James 
Stewart is a Wiradjuri man, born and raised in Narrandera and now residing in Young NSW. Located on the Southwest Slopes of Wiradjuri Country, I continue to be creative and work hard to generate opportunities along my journey as an artist, which now spans over 20 years.

My art has given me opportunities that I did not see all those years ago and I have been very fortunate to have had many great mentors, met many great people and seen many great places along the way. Despite all the lived experiences that I have had so far, I truly feel that I am only just getting started

Stewart James profile

Wiradjuri Waters Series, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x  40cm 
This series of artworks reflects the connection the Wiradjuri People have to the anatomy of waterways throughout Wiradjuri Country.

Value adjusts subject to purchase.
Individual piece x 1 = $350
Complete Series Value x 4 = $1,300
Enquiries

 

Wiradjuri Connections Series, 2024
Acrylic on canvas
40cm x 30cm
This series of artworks reflects the deep relationships to place, people and identity of Wiradjuri Culture.

Value adjusts subject to purchase.
Individual piece x 1 = $350
Complete Series Value x 4 = $1,300
Enquiries

 

Warralang Nguram-bang (Brown Snake Country), 2024
Acrylic on canvas
92cm x 42cm
This artwork depicts the territorial relationship the Brown Snake has with particular regions of Wiradjuri Country.
Price on enquiry Enquiries

 

Trish profile

Smoking Ceremony, 2024
Acrylic on Canvas
30 x 120 cm
$550 Enquiries

Trish Whitburn
I’m a proud Wiradjuri woman from Tumut NSW. I have ancestral connections to Ngunnawal country (Yass NSW) and Yuin country (Wreck Bay NSW). My art is vibrant, colourful and contemporary pieces that share stories to create conversation about traditional and modern First Nations peoples.
The gum leaf symbolises the important role that gum leaves play in the Smoking Ceremony and keeping the fires burning. Follow her on Facebook 

Mitch Summerfield
Mitch Summerfield is a proud Wiradjuri man living on country in Harden. Mitch works with raffia and other natural materials to create textile projects. He is inspired to create works that represent his culture, family stories and his country. The Southern Table Land Arts’ Mob in Focus exhibition is art exhibition debut. 

Mitch’s piece embodies this year’s NAIDOC theme of “Keep the fire Burning”. “Eternally Ablaze” represents the passion, effort and the journey of our culture from the Ancestors who lit the flame, to us today who have received and nurtured it, to the future generations who will shine it with pride.

Mitch Summerfield

Eternally Ablaze, 2024
Rafia
40cm  x 40cm
NFS

Pam Luke 
Pamela Joy Luke, a proud Darug woman, was born on October 25, 1978, in Bowral, NSW, Australia. Currently residing in the Southern Highlands Gundungurra Country, Pamela has intricately woven her roots into the fabric of her artistic endeavors. As a gifted weaver and intuitive artist specializing in Aboriginal Indigenous Art, Pamela runs a burgeoning art venture, Possum Tails Art. Through her business, she has been teaching weaving workshops at local schools and councils, spreading the art and knowledge inherent in this traditional skill. Pamela’s artistic narrative is deeply influenced by the vibrant colors and textures of her native landscape, embodying a unique relationship between nature and culture. Her works, primarily focused on pattern design, dotwork, and culturally inspired thematic expression, serve as a bridge connecting the modern world with profound indigenous histories. Her artworks have found homes across the Southern Highlands, being exhibited and sold at various venues including the Fitzroy Falls Information Center, Moss Vale Local Council Centre, Creative Space, Guluu Galleries, communal markets, and the CTC in Robertson. Notably, Pamela has twice entered the esteemed Black Cockatoo Competition, marking her growing imprint in the artistic domain. In addition to her personal artistic pursuits, Pamela’s intent is to contribute a positive representation of indigenous culture, aiming to share the profound beauty and wisdom it embodies with the wider community and beyond. With each weave of her brush Pamela Joy Luke invites the world into a rich, cultural narrative. 

Pamela Luke protrait

Burn Black, 2024
Acrylic on canvas with collage paper bark.
91.5cm x 46cm x 3.5cm 
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

Jodie Munday
Over the past 2 years Jodie has begun to focus on developing her arts business from her home studio in Goulburn. She has had work featured at Gallery on Track in Goulburn NSW and various local art exhibitions. Jodie also works with schools supporting students and staff in various roles including Aboriginal Education.
Jodie loves to represent nature, animals, wildlife, flora and her rural lifestyle. She is inspired by the patterns in different environments and using elements of her Aboriginal, Celtic and British heritage. Follow Jodie on Instagram or Facebook.

Blood Not Colour is inspired by quality time spent with my Dad during a recent mural project and the storiesand connection we shared. As parents we all strive to guide and teach our children in the best way we can to prepare them for their life ahead. My Dad is now as we all do eventually experiencing the issues that come with an aging body more and more, being able to spend his time with my Dad sharing stories, struggles, hopes and dreams from our past and also
into the future was a time I will truly treasure in my heart forever. The feet connected to country show the connection and love of a parent and child and our connection to the country and history we share. The tartan pattern with the overlaying veined lines shows my journey of Celtic, British and Aboriginal heritage making me the person I am today. My blood and heritage make me who I am not my colour, and I am here today striving to be the best I can be with the eternal love of family

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Blood Not Colour, 2024
Copic Markers and Posca Paint Pens
65cm x  50cm 
NFS

Teena Riley 
Teena has a passion for environmental sustainability and encouraging everyone, whatever their means, to do whatever they can to protect and conserve nature. She studied a Bachelor of Arts (Communications) majoring in media arts and journalism, before undertaking further study in education and sustainability/climate change; moving into roles focussed on waste minimisation. The 2019/20 bushfires were a turning point, highlighting the need for more focussed efforts on conservation and protecting native species across Gundungurra Country. Teena is currently naturally ‘re-wilding’ her own property and the images in this exhibition were taken from her back door – a family of the vulnerable Dusky Woodswallow and the exposed nest of a Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike.

Teena Riley

Vulnerable – On Country, 2024
Digital photograph
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

Biidyunyaa winyu (sunset) 2024
Digital Photograph
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

Wallabindi
Wallabindi is a contemporary Aboriginal (Wadandi Bibbulmun Noongar, Yamatji) and Burmese artist who has been creating on Ngunnawal Country for over 20 years. She is descended from the Wardandi Noongars of South Western Australia, with strong family connections up and down the WA coast. Her late Mum was born in Geraldton and was a part of the Stolen Generations. Much of her creative expression is inspired by the strength and resilience of her Mum and the long line of staunch matriarchs she is descended from. Wallabindi is a proud mother of two, an award winning singer/songwriter (Winner of the MusicACT 2023 Independent Debut of the Year for her EP, Wallabindi Dreaming), a budding playwright and more recently, a TEDx Canberra speaker. Her artworks form part of many private collections both locally and internationally. Wallabindi’s ever evolving works are, for her, a form of reclamation – both of her culture and her voice as a proud Blak woman – in contemporary society. It is also an opportunity to continue her own exploration into the depths of her creativity and to immerse in the healing and catharsis it provides to her mind, body and spirit. Follow Wallabindi on Instagram @wallabindi_dreaming

Wallabindi

Matriarch, 2024
Acrylic on reclaimed plastic mannequin
acquired at a local Food Pantry post
COVID lockdowns.

820mm x 470mm x 200mm
NFS

Matriarch 
Born from Country, on Country.
The responsibility, love and care for family and community rests firmly on her shoulders.
A heart of pure gold – unending love, compassion and kindness, forever spiralling outward
She is the backbone of the family, nurturing and nourishing her babies
For the stomach that often went without to feed her loved ones
For the hips that carried and soothed many a child For the womb that carried generations into this world For the voice that was taken from her
For the screams that never subsided
For her arms that became empty and felt useless when they stole her babies
For her legs that could not run to catch them as they were driven away from the campground
Now part of Country once again, returned to the Dreaming Her love and strength live on in all of us.

Kim Morrison 
I am a woman of Kamilaroi, French and Celtic heritage. I am the finder of lost people and secrets in my family, the storyteller and historian. I exhibit photography, collage and assemblage and have had poems and short stories published in literary journals. My novel for young adults was shortlisted for the Magabla fiction prize in 2023. I am a forager and cold water swimmer. My work for this exhibition is a hand rendering of actual sms text conversations around the Voice. Taking slow time to revisit these messages is an attempt to process my heartache and disbelief at their attitudes. Follow her work on instagram @fthek_photography

Kim

We are Family, 2024
Found marine ply, acrylic paint, permanent ink
165 x 43cm 
$850 Enquiries

We are Family, 2024
Detail

We are Family, 2024
Detail

Dashanti Carr
Dashanti is a 4th generation Aboriginal artist living in Berrima. Dashanti has been in the foster care system since the age of three, and because of this grew up all around NSW. She spent most of her childhood in a small town called Wellington. Most of Dashanti’s art knowledge is from her time on a mission called Nanima where she feels fortunate to have learnt about her culture and it’s significance  with family and extended family. Follow Dashanti on Instagram.

Screenshot (280)

Untitled, 2024
Digital Artwork
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

Untitled, 2024
Digital Artwork
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

 

Untitled, 2024
Digital Artwork
Price on enquiry 
Enquiries

 

*There are many language groups who live and meet across the region where STA operates. Main groups include Wiradjuri Country coming in from the west, across the north is Gundungurra and Tharawal Country, the south is Ngunnawal Country, and the east is Yuin Country. The STA Region is officially made up of seven local government areas of Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan Palerang, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly & Yass Valley.

The Mob in Focus: Time to Exhale program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and the Restart Program.

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0427 938 110  
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We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the lands where we create, live & work. 

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