Four powerful art exhibitions will open at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra tomorrow, sharing Aboriginal stories of identity, healing and connection to Country.
Residents are invited to attend the official opening on 25 July from 2pm to 4pm.
The event will feature a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country and talks by First Nations artists and elders.
Mayor Patricia White said residents and visitors to the gallery have the opportunity to see some extraordinary artworks which will be on display until 3 October.
"Each of the artists has a compelling story to tell. The exhibitions showcase their strength, resilience and creativity," Cr White said.
"I encourage everyone to attend the opening and experience these works that honour culture, history and community across the Shoalhaven and beyond," she said.
The exhibitions include:
Bun dja
Bun dja is the Dhurga word for remember. This exhibition features artists Aunty Julie Freeman and Markeeta Freeman, and invites audiences to remember and heal from the past. It features a reinstallation of Forget me Not, a 1997 work incorporating the former gates from the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children's Home, alongside new collaborative works exploring family, survival, connection and culture.
The image above depicts detail from Mara doo win (Mabel's Story), a 2026 painting by Aunty Julie Freeman.
Creatures of the South Coast
This exhibition showcases the works of 2026 Ngaoara Fellowship recipient Aaron Kennedy. Through lino prints and digital animations, Kennedy's work celebrates local animals and his connection to Yuin Country and Jerrinja, drawing on knowledge shared by Elders and community.
Secrets of Dawn
An acclaimed touring exhibition, Secrets of Dawn examines the tactics of assimilation enforced under the NSW Aborigines Protection Act between 1909 and 1969. Featuring material from Dawn Magazine and contemporary works by Coota Girls Survivors and descendants, the exhibition honours the enduring strength of Stolen Generations survivors through truth-telling and healing.
Middens - Layers of Story
This features works created through the Koori Kids Art After School Program led by First Nations artist Jazz Corr. Students from Bomaderry High School, Shoalhaven High School, Vincentia High School and Ulladulla High School transformed blackened abalone shells taken from Corr's original piece, Isolated Ruins Middens 2026, into sculptural artworks that told their own stories.
Shoalhaven Regional Gallery has received two years of funding from Create NSW to support the exhibitions, while the Ngaoara Fellowship is supported by Regional Arts Australia.
The exhibitions run from 25 July to 3 October. Visit the Gallery website exhibitions page
