The Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion exhibition is curated by our First Nations Curator Shonae Hobson. It brings together a selection of seventy First Nations designers, artists and makers to showcase the first major survey of Indigenous Australian fashion.

The Talking First Nations panel event was facilitated by Kaantju woman Shonae Hobson. Shonae crossed live to fellow guest designers and artists from the exhibition: Lyn-Al Young, Lisa Waup and Arkie Barton and discussed their individual works. They discussed how the exhibition draws inspiration from the Indigenous Seasons/Times recognised by First Nations People and the growing strength of the Indigenous Fashion and Textile industry. 

You might also be interested in An evening with First Nations Fashion and Design Artists on November 12.

About the Speakers

Lyn-Al Young

Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta CEO, fashion designer and artist of her own label LYN-AL based in Melbourne. Her name and brand is a reminder of the importance of connecting back and honouring her heritage every time she starts her design process as her name has intergenerational significance sharing her birthday with her Nan Lynette and Great Nan Alice. She understands the power that fashion can have on a wearer and aims to release ‘Marrumbang’; love and kindness into each design and every silk painting. She uses an ancient method of singing in and over each one of her creations, guided by her ancestors she follows her songline and speaks positive words into the silk, dyes and water.

Lisa Waup

First Nations and Italian woman with a multidisciplinary art practice and is also a Curator, born in Naarm (Melbourne) and currently a visitor on Boon Wurrung Country. Waup’s practice is studio-based, and involves the creation of objects, with a strong connection of symbology through her work and materials which connects her to family, Country, history and story. She works across weaving, printmaking, photography, sculpture, textiles and installation and her work eloquently illustrates her life’s journey through discovery and connection. Waup’s practice highlighting the importance of tracing lost history, ancestral relationships, Country, motherhood and time which ultimately are woven stories of her past, present and future into contemporary forms.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art in Printmaking/Photography from RMIT, and is currently studying Master of Contemporary Art at Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University. In parallel, she is also the Programs Coordinator at Baluk Arts – and Aboriginal Art Centre based in Mornington, where she facilitates arts workshops with Aboriginal artists and schools, organises collaborations, and curates both locally and internationally.

Arkie Barton

Bringing contemporary Aboriginal Culture to mainstream Australians through fashion. Arkie the label is for young women who want more than just an outfit, hand drawn prints and carefully designed pieces that tell a story and represent a piece of Indigenous Australian culture.

Our collections are designed by our namesake, Arkie Barton. Designed and made in Brisbane, Australia. Each design emanates an inherent sense of laidback Australian culture and are largely inspired by Arkie's heritage as an Indigenous Australian. Bright artisanal prints, influenced by nature, each print is hand drawn with love.

Shonae Hobson

A Southern Kaantju woman from Coen, Cape York Peninsula.  Shonae graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology and Art History, from the University of Melbourne. She has worked in a variety of arts and cultural spaces, including as the assistant curator for the Donald Thomson Collection exhibition at the University of Melbourne, as a research intern for Northern Australian Collections online at the Melbourne Museum and as Project Officer for the Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation Women’s Support Centre. Shonae currently resides on Dja Dja Wurrung Country where she holds the position of First Nations Curator at Bendigo Art Gallery.