A MILESTONE for the Coffs community – that’s how Tori Donnelly feels about her appointment as the First Nations Curator to lead the development and delivery of one of the first exhibitions to open in the new Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM).

Tori will curate Yaam Gumbaynggirr Jagun: Here is Gumbaynggirr Country, the working title of the exhibition.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

After a competitive process, Tori Donnelly was selected and will work with Gumbaynggirr artists to bring this to life.

“I believe that being appointed to this position is significant in both a professional and cultural practice,” Tori told News Of The Area.

“Being on Gumbaynggirr Country and curating this show exclusively for Gumbaynggirr artists is a reflection of the cultural protocols we as a community heavily follow.

“Gumbaynggirr Artists really know how to put art where it matters.

“My love for arts really stems from fellow Gumbaynggirr artists and the way they can interpret contemporary and historical stories into their professional practice,” she said.

“We as Gumbaynggirr people are in fact perfectly placed in this area.

“We make up a fraction of the oldest living culture and our arts, language, dance and ceremony are evidence of this, we still practice all of this but in a contemporary way.

“This shows philosophical, spiritual and practical value and as the artists produce new works for this show I think a lot of the Coffs community will see our history in the works,” she said.

In this exhibition Tori will be working with high-profile Gumbaynggirr artists from across our country.

“I think the title explains the brief: This is Gumbaynggirr Country … what does that mean and how will the artist interpret ownership,” she said.

Tori Donnelly is an artist and experienced curator with connections to both Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung Country.

Awarded Young Artist of the Year in 2018, her artwork embraces both traditional and contemporary art practices while expressing her spiritual and cultural beliefs.

Currently working at the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Corindi Beach, Tori has made a significant contribution to the cultural fabric of the Gumbaynggirr region, having been involved in curating exhibitions such as ‘Salt Water Fresh Water’ for the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance, and as a contributing artist to ‘The White Bluff Project’ for the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

Chris Chapman, Council’s Director Sustainable Communities said; “This is a really important art exhibition for the city of Coffs, so I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to secure someone of Tori’s expertise and standing in the Gumbaynggirr community.

“I’m sure what she’ll be able to achieve with our local First Nations artists will blow us all away as we walk through the doors of Yarrila Arts and Museum for the first time.”

Yaam Gumbaynggirr Jagun: Here is Gumbaynggirr Country is a separate project to the Gumbaynggirr Art Trail that will wend its way through the new building and animate the different public spaces.

By Andrea FERRARI