The Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery is proud to host Bowerbird, the debut solo exhibition by Gumbaynggirr artist Josie Rose Atkinson Flanders, from 14 December 2024 to 4 February 2025. This exhibition offers a powerful reflection on environmental stewardship and cultural connection through the lens of a Gumbaynggirr woman.
Josie Rose is a Gumbaynggirr artist from Coffs Harbour whose vibrant, intricate artworks celebrate contemporary expressions of wajaarr (Country) and guunuwaygam (life). A Masters of Philosophy student and full-time artist, Josie has contributed significantly to the Gumbaynggirr arts community through workshops, collaborative projects, and exhibitions. Her art has featured in prominent displays such as the Saltwater Freshwater Aboriginal Art Award, Gaagal at the WADJAR Regional Indigenous Gallery, and the YAM exhibition Swell Chasers. Josie’s designs are known for their bold colours, intricate patterns, and expressions of cultural pride.
For Bowerbird, Josie partnered with environmental organisation OzFish to organise clean-ups along Coffs Creek, gathering debris from sacred waterways by canoe and hand. With a group of weavers, Josie has transformed the collected waste into a stunning installation using Ghost Net Weaving, a practice that originated in Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land as a creative response to managing the large volume of rubbish, litter and waste washing up onto their traditional lands. By continuing this tradition on the Mid North Coast, Josie invites audiences to reflect on the importance of caring for Country and honouring cultural connections to land, water and sky.
Opening Event
Join us for the opening of Bowerbird on Saturday, 14 December 2024, from 3–5 pm at the Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery, located at the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This event will celebrate Josie’s artistic vision and her meaningful approach to art and environmental advocacy, with delicious free catering and a special performance from Manduway.
Through Bowerbird, Josie Rose blends cultural heritage with environmental responsibility, offering a moving and thought-provoking exhibition that shouldn’t be missed.
More about the exhibition here.
This project was proudly supported by the NSW Government through Arts Mid North Coast’s Country Arts Support Program.