Platform Arts will start their 2022 gallery program with a celebration of First Nations people, place and art.<\/p>\n
Opening on January 21 in Gallery One, Still Here, Now<\/em> is a First Nations curated exhibition led by Gunditjmara Keerray Wooroong women and Koorroyarr Arts founders, Tarryn Love and Kelsey Love, alongside Naarm-based artist and researcher, Jahkarli Romanis, with Amber Smith of Platform Arts.<\/p>\n The exhibition captures what it means to be \u201cstill here, now\u201d from a First Nations ancestral perspective.<\/p>\n The range of cultural and creative practices included in this show celebrates diversity through demonstrating the narrative sovereignties present in each of the works.<\/p>\n These sovereignties are informed and made known to the artists through their relationships with their ancestors.<\/p>\n Including works from artists based on Wadawurrung Country, Naomi Edwards, Bri Pengarte Apma Hayes, Lowell Hunter, Kait James, Tarni Jarvis, Kelsey Love, Tarryn Love, Jahkarli Romanis and Norm Stanley, the art acknowledges how First Nations ancestors continue to survive, despite determined existence, and the challenges presented in the face of colonialism as drawn from notions presented in \u201cDear Ancestor\u201d by Professor Chelsea Watego.<\/p>\n