Yaama ngindaay-uu
Maran ngiyani Dja Dja Wurrung winanga-y-la-nha
Dhawun ngiyani Dja Dja Wurrung winanga-y-la-nha
Wayamaa ngiyani Dja Dja Wurrung winanga-y-la-nha
Yaluu maliyaa
About
Gabirra means water lily in the Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay language
Storytelling is passed down with each generation through listening, touching and watching. Arkeria has memories of hands travelling onto the earth pointing to the places of journey. Hands that pointed to the journeys of our totems, our ancestors our connections as they were painted in ochre on a canvas. Arkeria holds these memories of her grandparents which continue to guide and connect to the storyteller she is today.
The story piece of this gallery has had its own journey first with the word, the connection and then with reflections.
Arkeria’s baagii named her after the water lily a plant that grows on her Country and one that continues to connect and teach her.
In 2015 with the birth of her daughter the question of identity, roles and connection would surface. These are the questions that lead to the piece titled Gabirra which is its most raw form Arkeria’s self-portrait.
Gabirra shares the story of knowing, being and doing through sections of growth that come from our connection to Country.
Selected Works
Artists and Makers
Acrylic on Linen by
Arkeria rose Armstrong
A Gamilaraay, Bigambul, Yuwaalaraay artist with kinship connections to Yorta Yorta mob through her paternal line. Arkeria has spent the past decade developing her ways of storytelling through the medium of Acrylic on Linen.
Weaving by Arkeria rose Armstrong
Arkeria in more recent years has practiced weaving in collective circles. This has allowed her to explore artistic expression within weaving practice. She acknowledges and gives gratitude to the many Aunties and Sistas who have sat and shared.
Artefacts by Uncle Mark Fernando
Uncle Mark Fernando is a Yuwaalaraay, Gamilarray man from NSW. Born on Gamilaraay Country in Coonamble NSW, he lived in the Lightning Ridge area for 15 years. He now resides in Victoria on Gunaikurnai Country where he has lived for the past 12 years.
Uncle Mark is self taught working on wood for over 20 years. His work is made from a collection of predominantly Red Box, Yellow Box and Red river gum which has all been collected from Gamilaraay Country.
His work showcases the natural form of wood with selected pieces sharing his stories through burning. He creates a range of clapsticks, coolamons, digeridoos and other collectibles.
First Nations Products
Gabirra stocks a range of First Nations products come and visit to see what we have in store.
Artistic works by Harriet McGhee
Harriet is a proud 10-year-old Gamilaraay, Bigambul, Yuwaalaraay and Filipino artist. Daughter of Arkeria and her partner Chris she brings creativity, curiosity and joy to everything she does.
Harriet exhibited a piece in her first exhibition last year at the Castlemaine information centre for Reconciliation Week, marking an exciting step in her artistic journey. She continues to explore and share her work through a range of mediums, including acrylic on linen, pencil on paper, and other materials. Visitors to the gallery will spot her newest creations popping up at Gabirra from time to time.
About
Arkeria rose Armstrong
Owner/Artist
Gayrr ngaya Arkeria gamilaraay bigambul yuwaalaraay ngaya yinarr
Arkeria rose Armstrong is a Gamilaraay, Bigambul, Yuwaalaraay woman with kinship connections to Yorta Yorta mob through her paternal line.
Born on the lands of the Wirangu, Mirning, Kokatha, and Pitjantjatjara people, she spent most of her early years traveling the Country with her family.
Eldest of two daughters Arkeria now lives on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, with her partner Chris and their 10-year-old daughter Harriet. Regularly on the road travelling back to Gamilaraay Country and Ngunnawal, Ngambri Country where her mum and sister live.
Arkeria has spent the past decade developing her ways of storytelling through creative practice. This has been the foundation to the development of programs and workshops centred around themes of identity, connection to Country, Culture and healing.
Qualifications and Experiences
Education:
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Latrobe University: Bachelor of Education
Experiences:
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Co-designed and facilitated a healing program in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre with First Nations Women.
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10 years as a Visual Artist working with a range of galleries. Arkeira has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
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External facilitation for ACCO’s in both Creative Cultural Practices and Cultural Safety.
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10 years in a ACCHO, leading and facilitating programs within the health and wellbeing space.
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15+ years mentoring First Nations young people.
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A depth of experience creating and facilitating workshops.
Exhibitions:
2023 – Solo exhibition ‘Banay Warruwi – 10 Pathways’ at Caspa in Castlemaine Victoria
2022 – Group exhibition ‘Connections’, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel the Netherlands
2021 – Solo exhibition ‘Yilambu’ at Caspa in Castlemaine Victoria
2019 – Group exhibition ‘Dream Big – A small artwork collection’ in Rotterdam the Netherlands
2018 – Solo exhibition Aboriginal Art Gallery Rotterdam the Netherlands
2018 – Group exhibition ‘Connections’ Sydney NSW
2017 – Solo exhibition Dudley House Bendigo Victoria
2017 – Group exhibition Aboriginal Art Gallery Rotterdam the Netherlands
2017 – Pop-up exhibition Bendigo Victoria
2016 – Group exhibition Bendigo Victoria
2015 – Solo exhibition ‘Strong Connection’ in the Aboriginal Art Gallery Rotterdam the Netherlands
2015 – Group exhibition Aboriginal Art Gallery Rotterdam the Netherlands
Workshops/Facilitation
Workshops are tailored to suit your community or organisational needs. Please reach out for a yarn so Arkeria can work towards designing the best option for you.
Creative Workshops
Creative Workshops are created for all participants with some workshops being solely for First Nations people.
Arkeria can discuss a range of creative practices to see what works best for your group. Each workshop takes people on a journey to explore visual storytelling and self-expression through a cultural lens.
Examples workshops:
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Storytelling through burning stories on Kangaroo Hides.
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Sharing identity through painting on Emu Eggs.
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Weaving vessels that connect us to Country.
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Explore your own identities and stories through painting on recycled items.
Cultural Connection Workshops
All Cultural Connection Workshops are created for all participants with some workshops being solely for First Nations people.
Cultural identity and how we connect with each other is a fundamental part of First Nations culture. Arkeria creates a space for participants to come together to unpack what is our individual identity and what is ours as a collective through the process of storytelling. Each workshop deeply explores First Nations connections to culture, community, Country and kin.
Examples of past workshops:
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Guided visualisation and deep breathing to explore First Nations stories.
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Exploring identity and stories through creatives practices that best suit the group.
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Sharing in a yarning circle to explore connection through deep listening and storytelling.
School Workshops
All School Workshops are created for all students.
Cultural storytelling and yarning are processes that allow students to understand different First Nations practices. Arkeria creates a space for students to come together to work on their own piece of artwork. While in creative practice, Arkeria will share knowledge about First Nations art, symbolism and story.
Examples of past workshops:
•Weaving bracelets while yarning about First Nations history.
•Creating adornments using materials gathered from Country and exploring different ways of making.
•Explore identity and stories through creatives practices that best suit the age group.
Cultural Humility Workshops
Cultural Humility Workshops are created for all organisations and workforces who want to explore cultural safety.
Arkeria has spent the past 6 years facilitating and reflecting on the cultural safety space through the guidance of her mother. Storytelling is a generational skill that has been passed to her which she shares through cultural practice.
The approach that she takes to unpacking cultural humility has been deeply influenced by her personal relationships with close friends and her partner Chris who is of Filipino heritage.
Workshops are tailored to each organisation based on type of workforce and what the organisation shares about their journey.
Workshops include:
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Acknowledgement of Country
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Grounding Practice
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Building and strengthening relationships
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Exploring First Nations ways of Knowing, Being and Doing.
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Content exploring what is Cultural Humility is in the space of Cultural Safety
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Closing Reflections
All materials are included as well as items to nurture a culturally informed space.
Contact
105 Mostyn Street Castlemaine
Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Address
105 Mostyn Street
Castlemaine, Victoria 3450
Contact
0410 133 510
Opening Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed
Closed
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
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