Weaving stories from woven yarns

What does Blak success look like in a hyper-capitalistic world? How do we show up for each other and our community? Who decides what ‘truth’ is? In connection with Dr Bronwyn Bancroft’s stunning and stirring exhibition The Country Cries for Truth, join the artist herself and Kylie Caldwell in conversation with Kyra Kum-Sing for a discussion rooted in truth-telling, collectivism, art and Bundjalung Country.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft is a Bundjalung woman and artist. She has been exhibiting nationally and internationally for over four decades. She has also illustrated and/or written 47 books and has been the Director of her own company, Designer Aboriginals Pty Ltd since 1985. Dr Bancroft is a Board Member/Director of the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), The Returning and the Commonwealth Bank Indigenous Advisory Council. She is a Founding Member of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative and has been the Co-operative’s volunteer senior strategist since 2009. Dr Bancroft has a Diploma of Visual Arts, 2 Masters degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Sydney. In 2021–22 Dr Bronwyn Bancroft completed a series of works as part of the inaugural NSW First Nations Creative Fellowship at the State Library of NSW.

Kylie Caldwell is a Bundjalung weaver and fibre artist, interested in reviving and pursuing traditional cultural practices that her ancestors have used over thousands of years. In her practice, Kylie works to rediscover ancient Bundjalung crafts and thread them into the modern world, using various modes to deepen and expand her own cultural creative expression and knowledge. Her approach honours the ancient form, while bringing contemporary artistry to represent an enduring Bundjalung identity.

Kyra Kum-Sing is a Malera Bandjalan, Mitakoodi woman. Kyra has paved a unique and important path within the arts as both an artist and curator. Kyra has been the curator at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative for the past four years and has curated a number of significant and acclaimed exhibitions including Boomalli’s 25th Anniversary Mardi Gras Exhibition: Original Box (2019). She has also curated at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Blacktown Arts Centre amongst others, and is an Encounters Fellow Alumni from the National Museum of Australia. Kyra has a diverse artistic practice which includes painting, drawing, weaving, sculpture, installations and clothing design, and is a consultant for the Aboriginal site heritage and repatriation work on Bandjalan Country in Northern NSW, where she is working on revitalising the Malera Bandjalan language. Kyra is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal rights and self-determination and the Aboriginal arts and cultural sector.

Free tickets available for First Nations audience members. Please reach out to .

Host or Publisher State Library of New South Wales