Spiritual connections between palawa culture and Tasmania’s landscape will be captured in the next exhibition to open at Burnie’s Makers’ Workshop.
The exhibition, milaythina-nika waranta milaythina-nika. katina-mana mara – This country is us, and we are this country – my five beaches, features the work of Lola Greeno.
Lola is a respected custodian of palawa culture, and an accomplished shell-necklace maker in accordance with palawa traditions.
In this unique exhibition presented by the University of Tasmania for Ten Days on the Island, she shares five of her ceremonial-length shell necklaces.
The pieces capture the timelessness and relevance of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture, while forming part of the physical and spiritual landscape.
Each necklace represents one of the five Tasmanian beaches where Lola gathers her shells.
“I learned to make necklaces solely from working with my mother,” Ms Greeno said.
“It was my mother who was very keen for us to work together and this has been the important cultural lesson I learnt from her – teaching respect for one another.”
University Arts and Public Programs Coordinator, exhibition curator and celebrated papermaker Joanna Gair made five botanical papers from coastal plants harvested at each shell collection site.
The bespoke creations form the backdrop of Lola’s exhibition, while providing the viewer with additional connections to the locations.
“During planning, Lola and I discussed the importance of the beaches where she collects her beloved shells. There is an irrefutable connection between Lola’s work and the places where the land and the water meet,” Ms Gair said.
“These locations shape our home and connect all Tasmanians to our status as island dwellers; they are important to Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and several of these locations are secret in the context of traditional palawa culture.
“The University of Tasmania is proud to bring this work to the North-West region as part of Ten Days on the Island festival.”
The exhibition will continue in the Makers’ Space Gallery until Sunday, 7 April.
