Benalla Art Gallery weaves together stories from across the country with new exhibition

One of the exhibition's shining stars is none other than Benalla's very own artistic luminary, Aunty Desiree Walker.

As a proud local Elder, Aunty Desiree has masterfully crafted new works using natural fibres that evoke a sense of reverence for traditional methods.

Among her remarkable creations is a grand-scale eel trap, meticulously woven to perfection.

With her artistry, Aunty Desiree ensures that the region’s rich cultural heritage is passed down to future generations through engaging workshops.

Adding depth and dimension to this remarkable collection are immersive installations by the acclaimed artists from Erub Arts and Ghost Net Collective.

These visionary artists have ingeniously repurposed plastic polymers, including ghost nets and ropes recovered from the environment, to breathe life into their captivating creations.

The pinnacle of Interwoven: Stories of Country from North and South is a breathtaking spectacle — a suspended three-metre coral bommie (an outcrop of coral reef, often resembling a column, that is higher than the surrounding platform of reef and which may be partially exposed at low tide).

This awe-inspiring centrepiece, masterfully crafted by Marion Gaemers and Lynnette Griffiths, is encircled by exquisite woven stingrays, bait fish, and a magnificent shark.

The collaborative efforts of Gaemers, Griffiths, and the talented artists from Erub — Emma Gela, Florence Gutchen, Lavinia Ketchell, Racy Oui-Pitt, Ellarose Savage, Jimmy John Thaiday, and Jimmy K Thaiday — have birthed a truly mesmerising display.

Gallery director Eric Nash said this exhibition was a wonderful celebration of diverse approaches to fibre arts, both from the local region and the northern reaches of Australia.

The exhibition was officially launched on Friday, June 30 and will be on display until September 3.