'Still Here, Now' is on show at Platform Arts until February 18 2022.
Platform Arts has opened their 2022 gallery program with a celebration of First Nations people, place and art for a new exhibition, Still Here, Now.
Opening late last month, the exhibition is a First Nations curated exhibition led by proud Gunditjmara Keerray Wooroong women and Koorroyarr Arts founders, Tarryn Love and Kelsey Love, alongside Naarm based artist and researcher, Jahkarli Romanis, with Amber Smith of Platform Arts.
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Running until Friday, February 18, the exhibition captures what it means to be “Still here, now” from a First Nations ancestral perspective. The range of cultural and creative practices included in this show celebrates diversity through demonstrating the narrative sovereignties present in each of the works. These sovereignties are informed and made known to the artists through their relationships with their Ancestors.
Still Here, Now presents exhibition works curated and created by First Nations Artists placed on Wadawurrung Country, including Lowell Hunter, Marlene Gilson, Kait James, Tarni Jarvis, Kelsey Love, Tarryn Love, Jahkarli Romanis, Tammy Gilson and Norm Stanley. The art acknowledges how First Nations ancestors continue to survive, despite determined existence, and the challenges presented in the face of colonialism as drawn from notions presented in ‘Dear Ancestor’ by Professor Chelsea Watego. Here she questions ‘how, as First Nations people, can we thrive in a setting that was not built for us?’
Shining a light on the talented First Nations creatives on Wadawurrung Country, the exhibition is a celebration of their stories, experiences, connection to place, Country and family, and to each other.
The exhibition will culminate with a special closing night celebration containing First Nations performances and activities, as well as encouraging community gathering on Wadawurrung land.
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Still Here, Now is available for public viewing Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm until Friday 18 February 2022. You can find out more here.
