Tiarne Parker assisting with print testing at Kaiela Arts studio.
Photo by
James Henry
In her work on Kaiela Arts’ first-ever Editions project, Maree Clarke planted a seed in Tiarne Parker’s mind.
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“I felt like, oh, I can do that,” Ms Parker said.
The “that” in question refers to the impressive creative trajectory that Ms Clarke has crafted — reviving First Nations practices, inspiring generations, and exhibiting nationally and internationally.
And soon at Kaiela Arts.
From November 24 to December 8, Kaiela Arts will showcase 10 framed versions of prints by Ms Clarke, marking the public debut of the inaugural Kaiela Arts Editions, a new printing initiative at the gallery.
Ms Clarke has spent recent months conversing with the local community and collaborating with Kaiela Arts and Melbourne print studio Spacecraft to bring the project to life.
The result?
A collection of 40 hand-printed works on archival paper and 10 silkscreen prints on glass, each grounded in her revitalisation of traditional river reed necklaces.
Materials in the Kaiela Arts studio.
Photo by
Mimi Leung
The designs magnify the reed’s form through a microscopic lens.
Ochres and charcoal gathered from Barmah and Cummeragunja are worked into every piece, giving the collection a physical and cultural connection to Country.
The Kaiela Arts on Country research trip to Barmah with Maree Clarke.
Photo by
James Henry
As the studio manager at Kaiela Arts and an emerging printer, Ms Parker played a key role in producing the Edition.
She described working alongside Ms Clarke as “inspiring”.
“It was really nice to have a different perspective on everything and just see what she does and the scale of it,” she said.
“I saw a lot of myself in her … the way she looks so deeply into things.”
Works will be available for purchase through Kaiela Arts, with prices starting at $1600 for paper editions and $3300 for glass pieces.
Proceeds will support the centre’s expanding screen-printing program and other community-led cultural initiatives.
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