Workshops with The Noongar Doll Makers

The Noongar Doll MakersIn the early 1990’s renowned fibre artist Nalda Searles and leading Aboriginal artist Pantjiti Mary McLean worked with Noongar women from the Southern Wheatbelt town of Narrogin to create the first series of dolls reflecting Noongar culture and community. The dolls were such a success; they were exhibited around Australia and even travelled as far as China before being purchased for major collections, including the National Gallery of Australia.

Community Arts Network, Western Australia, revived the doll making workshops in 2010, taking original artists Nalda Searles and Cecile Williams back to the Wheatbelt to teach a new generation of Noongar women – some of them descendants of the first – to the fine art of doll making. The workshops proved to be such a success they resulted in an inspiring and unique collection of dolls that encapsulate the stories and lives of the doll makers. The passion for storytelling through Noongar dolls remains strong, with other communities, including Pingelly, Moora, Quairading and Esperance continuing the tradition.

The visiting Noongar Doll Makers will open an avenue of ideas and dialogue to further extend the Gomeroi “Yarning Doll” workshops that are held in both Tamworth and Walgett utilising staff of the Gomeroi gaaynggal Program and community members from not only the Tamworth and Walgett communities but the wider connected communities within the New England and North West.

TAMWORTH

Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 March 201710am – 3pm, Lunch providedGomeroi gaaynggal Program, 2/1 Hinkler Street, Tamworth, ph: 6765 2698

The Gomeroi gaaynggal Program and Tamworth Regional Gallery will be hosting two visiting Noongar Doll Makers, Sharyn Egan and Marcelle Riley, who will conduct doll making workshops.

Learn how to use simple textile techniques to create a doll telling a story of you, your family, your community, or your ambitions. Materials will be provided but feel free to bring along an item of clothing, jewellery, or fabric that is meaningful to you for use in making your doll. Participating numbers are limited please phone Lyniece Keogh on 6765 2698 to secure your place.

WALGETT

Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 March 201710am – 3pm, Lunch providedWalgett Aboriginal Medical Service, (WAMS)Street Address, Walgett, ph:

The Gomeroi gaaynggal Program and Tamworth Regional Gallery will be hosting two visiting Noongar Doll Makers, Sharyn Egan and Marcelle Riley, who will conduct doll making workshops.

Learn how to use simple textile techniques to create a doll telling a story of you, your family, your community, or your ambitions. Materials will be provided but feel free to bring along an item of clothing, jewellery, or fabric that is meaningful to you for use in making your doll.

Participating numbers are limited please phone Lyniece Keogh on 6765 2698 to secure your place.