From 15 December 2023 – 11 February 2024, Jonathan Jones’ brilliant exhibition untitled (transcriptions of country) – for which ACE’s Embroiderers Collective collaborated with Jonathan on the heart of the project – was presented as the flagship exhibition for Artspace’s opening of its new redevelopment.

Why untitled (transcriptions of country) was meaningful for us

The Embroiderers Collective is a project of the Multicultural Women’s Hub working in collaboration with Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones. This project enacted, in real-time, cultural understanding and exchange between First Nations and migrant communities.

The Embroiderers originally come from Afghanistan, India, and South Korea, each having experienced different migration journeys; some as refugees seeking a safe haven from war, others as migrants wanting a better life for their children in Australia.

Through the project, the Embroiderers shared with Jonathan – and First Nations Cultural practitioners – their own experiences of country, displacement and colonial legacies.  In retracing these colonial narratives, the gatherings unpicked the intricacies of these stories and created powerful, multi-layered networks of exchange and collaboration. 

How the project grew

The project transformed into much more than expected; it was a vibrant and generous sharing of First Nations knowledge, ostensibly about plants, but in reality, so much more.  First Nations Elders including Aunty Julie Freeman, Aunty Julie Christian, and Uncle Chris Tobin opened our eyes to the depths of their culture, and in turn, the Embroiderers shared their knowledge. Different knowledge systems were interweaved, creating a space of deep listening and deep cultural understanding. 

More Info

Attendees joined us and Artspace for the opening celebrations of this exhibition on Fri, 15 Dec and Sat, 16 Dec.

There was a panel with the Embroiderers in conversation with Jonathan Jones and Yamane Fayed on Saturday 16th December at 11.30am at Artspace.