Dolls and Yarning

Temporary Exhibition | Updated 1 decade ago

Photo copyright of WA Museum
Kardyj - sit up and listen by Natalie Mogridge

Dolls and Yarning is an exhibition of dolls created by Yamaji parents, grandparents and young people in Geraldton and Northampton, Western Australia.

A series of doll making skills were learnt and shared in workshops during the year, while the yarning always started with family, learning, culture, play and education. As the creative process unfolded these inanimate objects came to life as the dolls and yarns became closely stitched together while Aboriginal ways of teaching and learning were explored, honoured and celebrated.

"Dolls and Yarning created an environment that encouraged sharing stories of inspiration, hardship and courage. The journeys of ourselves and our families were shared around the table with respect and pride, all the while breathing life and love into the dolls being crafted by experienced nurturing hands.” Bianca McNeair – Aboriginal Artist from Malgana country and Art Facilitator for Dolls and Yarning workshops.

Dolls and Yarning is an exhibition developed and presented by Western Australian Museum Geraldton in partnership with the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre. The Dolls and Yarning project is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) through the Parental and Community Engagement (PaCE) program.

Download the Dolls and Yarning catalogue [PDF 2.5mb]