By Jodie Symonds
WORAWA Aboriginal College welcomes the public to the Sandra Bardas Art Gallery on campus.
The art gallery showcases authentic Aboriginal art produced by students of Worawa and the communities they came from.
Worawa executive director Lois Peeler said all pieces of art work were not intended just as art.
“The art work has not been created to be art – it has been created to tell the stories of our elders,” Ms Peeler said.
The gallery was named in honour of Sandra Bardas OAM who worked with Hyllus Maris to establish Victoria’s first and only Aboriginal school.
The walls are covered in art work some including paintings, fabric patterns, costumes and jewellery.
Each piece of work reflects stories of community, family and land.
Ms Peeler told the Mail she particularly liked one piece by Elizabeth Queenie Giblet, as it reminded her of her grandmother’s garden.
“My grandmother had a bright garden, and I love the colours in this artwork,” Ms Peeler said.
She said work that was close to home could really move you.
“It reminds me of the smell of my grandmother’s garden,” Ms Peeler said.
“She really loved that garden – and most people around that time really cared for their gardens, everybody had one.”
The gallery is open Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, and Tuesday to Thursday by appointment.
Worawa Aboriginal College is at 60-80 Barak Lane, Healesville.
For more information, visit worawa.vic.edu.au
