Wadawurrung woman Tammy Gilson has always felt a strong connection to country. As a child she spent as much time outdoors as she could, exploring and collecting, learning about the land and the creatures that inhabit it.
Anything she collected she used, making dreamcatchers and other ornaments, as was part of her upbringing. Her mother is an artist, and her father a builder, so creating things with her hands ran in her blood.
Several years ago, Tammy had the opportunity to sit with two Elders and learn the art of traditional weaving, and like an awakening, Tammy felt her journey begin.
“Since that first class I haven’t stopped. I was instantly drawn to weaving and I keep trying to find more ways to learn the techniques of my ancestors and use materials from country.
“In a surprising twist my great grandfather from my English side made woven baskets too and I’m very excited by that. When my mum showed me his photo it suddenly all made such sense. You search your whole life to find what it is you should be doing, and I feel I am on the right path.”
Using a range of weaving techniques learnt from Elders, knowledge holders, master weavers or through personal discovery, Tammy creates contemporary artefacts with materials from Wadawurrung country such as features, possum skin, echidna quills and flax grown in her own garden.
Many of Tammy’s artefacts have been included in exhibitions at the Koorie Heritage Trust and she was recently invited to create pieces for her own exhibition at the Ballarat Art Gallery.
“I’m really excited about it. It’s an opportunity to explore and reproduce what some of the old aunties once made, as well as create some contemporary adornments. I hope to produce a visual timeline between old and new that shows the shift in our culture – the way we used to live and the way we live now.
“It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate how I feel. We have several practices that explore emotions and as our culture was suppressed for three generations, my grandmother didn’t have the chance to share her knowledge the way I do today.
“Now we’re awakening all these traditions and that is emotional. I can practice these techniques and teach my children. My daughter has taken up weaving and I love that. It’s a special time.”
At home, Tammy has built her creative space into one where she feels connected to country and to her people. She has started growing plants used for natural medicines, and made an outdoor space for her to gather, weave and yarn.
“Sitting together and making something is a beautiful way to connect.
“I find hanging with mob is really beautiful and I feel grateful to do so. I’m lucky to have Elders around to teach me and spending time with them makes me feel empowered.
“I feel like I’m learning in the right direction. Honouring and respecting the country we walk on and following in the footsteps of my ancestors.”
Perhaps most importantly, Tammy builds an element of education into her pieces.
“There are messages in the weaving. Something like the eel traps speaks to the importance of balancing eco systems and building a sustainable future for our children. We also have intangible stories that I draw upon whilst creating.
“I’m not looking for extra attention, or the spotlight with my weaving. I do it for me and for my family. But I am glad that I have this chance to share these messages and teach a much broader audience.”
Surrounded by a family of artists, Wadawurrung Elders, a supportive community and children who are starting to show their own artistic flair, Tammy finds herself exactly where she is meant to be.
“I feel each one of us is given a role and my role is to weave. We all have different responsibilities and I feel maybe the old people have put me in this position and guided me in this way. Their spirit is with us always.”
Artefacts created by Tammy can be viewed at the Koorie Heritage Trust Layers of Black exhibition and the 10th Koorie Art show Christmas exhibition as well as various venues around Victoria. Her own exhibition will be on display at the Ballarat Art Gallery during NAIDOC Week, 2023.
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