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Events

Since 2006, we have delivered a robust residency program with international guests. Founded on exchange and research, we prioritise creative processes over predetermined outcomes.  This model has proven deeply generative for artists, for our curatorial research, and for our wider program.

Our place-responsive residency program is driven by solid partnerships with First Nations led organisations in Victoria and key partners in the Asia Pacific region. Guided by the Djaara seasons, our residencies are grounded on Country and informed by the principles of self-determination, place and reciprocity. Rather than set outcomes, national and international artists are offered the opportunity to connect with place and community, to seed ideas and explore new directions. This program centres global First Nations artists and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Forthcoming public programs associated with artists visiting us and sharing knowledge include:

Natural Dyeing - Artist workshop with Quishile Charan

Sunday 19 October,  2 to 4 pm

Quishile is the inaugural recipient of the Artspace Aotearoa and La Trobe Art Institute residence.

During her time on Djaara, Quishile will be leading a natural dying workshop that wlll begin with the story of seeds and survival. Join Quishile at LAI to experiment with pre-made pigments, eco-printing & natural dyeing.

Quilshile writes:
Indo-Fijian self-determination begins with the story of seeds lovingly hidden into the folds of head wraps and fabric that my ancestors brought with them on the Girmit ships that took them to the violent plantation system of colonial Fiji. These seeds, brought over for survival, create a thread from past to present. I plant and wait for these seeds to bloom, then imprint, dye, embroider, sew, and quilt fabrics with these and other collective memories. Re-narrating and re-storying our histories, our craft becomes the functional vessel of storytelling, of world-building, resistance, memories, and the cultural knowledge our ancestors have gifted us.

Bookings essential. Please follow the link above to secure a place and learn more about this generous offering.