Inspired by country, six Kamilaroi artists have developed an exhibit of works based on three significant Aboriginal cultural sites near Inverell, Moree and Manilla as part of an Arts North West project.
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Indigenous Elders Liza Duncan, Len Waters and Noeline Briggs-Smith worked with the artists to share traditional songs and stories surrounding chosen sites.
The exhibition 'Yesterday Today Tomorrow' will not only feature the artists' works but also a series of short documentaries which have captured the stories and artist's relationship with their country, shot by Kamilaroi/Tongan film-maker Tim Leha.
Inverell Art Gallery will open 'Yesterday Today Tomorrow' on February 13, showcasing the contemporary pieces by artists Brent Emerson, Vicky Duncan, Paris Knox, Quarralia Knox, Elizabeth Munro and Paul Spearim.
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Arts North West project officer Pene Riggs said the exhibit was a result of community consultation held across the region.
"Elders and community members asked Arts North West to deliver a project based on locations as a follow-up from one of our other projects Rivers to Ridges which focused on the stories of Elders."
The project ensured all six artists were equip with further skills and confidence to create an exhibit of contemporary work based on the sites they visited, whilst drawing inspiration from country.
Ms Riggs said Elders and artists chose locations together and went out on country to film the sites. Once the exhibit is opened in Inverell, it will travel to the Dhiiyaan Centre in Moree and then to Tamworth Regional Gallery.
Yesterday Today Tomorrow will be in Moree from March 25 to April 27, and in Tamworth on May 14 to June 1.
Yesterday Today Tomorrow was funded by the Australian Government through its Indigenous Languages and Arts Program.
"As Inverell Shire Council have, in the past couple of years, come back under Arts North West we thought it was important to have the exhibition in Inverell," Ms Riggs said.
"Also two of the artists are from Inverell and one Elder Liza Duncan is from here in Ashford.
"On a personal note, I have enjoyed working on this project as I love to learn about my culture, you can never learn too much. This project is particularly special to me as it is about my Country, and where I grew up."
