Aboriginal Textile Art Workshop

Year 9/10 Textiles students had a fantastically enriching day learning about the cultural geography of their school precinct and the concept and meaning of 'country' from an Aboriginal cultural standpoint. Many thanks to Sheri Bird who facilitated this experience. We learnt about Awabakal Dreaming Stories, important historical leaders such as Biraban, sacred sites, flora and fauna. As we walked around the school grounds, we participated in Dadirri - inner deep listening and quiet still awareness. Students gathered native flora which we used for eco-dyeing fabric and sketching/painting. 

This experience was so enriching for all of our students. It allowed them to authentically understand the local and surrounding Indigenous lands, people and practices and therefore apply appropriate design skills to their current Textile Art Wall hanging individual projects. The theme of the wall hanging is 'Country - identity, purpose, belonging'. When completed two pieces of work will be selected to enter the TEA NSW Textile Art Piece Challenge.