Layers of Blak celebrates the creative outcome of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s second year of the Blak Design program, showcasing jewellery from eleven Victorian First Peoples artists.

The Blak Design program is the first of its kind nationally, marking a crucial step in recognising and reclaiming space for First Peoples design in the wider Australian design landscape. Presented by the Koorie Heritage Trust in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria and RMIT University, with generous support from the Ian Potter Foundation, Blak Design aims to foster First Peoples cultural innovation within the Victorian design sector and provide a platform for nurturing sustainable, collaborative First Peoples design practices.

Building on their passion for jewellery design, the participating artists have undertaken a series of jewellery making intensives at RMIT jewellery studios with notable jewellers Blanche Tilden and Laura Deakin, assisted by Lindy McSwan.

Each artist presents a beautiful range of contemporary jewellery, layered with complexity and grounded in their connection to culture, Country and family and the rich legacy of adornment these hold. The works draw on cultural connections through materials and design, while embracing experimentation with creative ways to reimagine jewellery.

Artists

Thelma Austin
Gunditjmara

Mandi Barton
Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wemba Wemba

Lorraine Brigdale
Yorta Yorta

Nikki Browne
Bidjara

Deanne Gilson
Wadawurrung

Tammy Gilson
Wadawurrung

Elijah Money
Wiradjuri

Yasmin Silveira
palawa

Sammy Trist
Taungurung

Dominic White
Palawa

Tracy Wise
Barkindji, Ngiyampaa, Maligundidj

Exhibition Catalogue

Download the Layers of Blak catalogue for more information.

Gallery map

Locate Layers of Blak exhibition on our Gallery map.

Koorie Heritage Trust‘s Blak Design Program is proudly supported by The lan Potter Foundation, and has been developed in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria, and RMIT University.