Overview Welcome to Country Foreword Introduction Preface Essays

Artists Venues Acknowledgements

Bec Cole
Chair, NETS Victoria Board

NETS Victoria is pleased to partner with TarraWarra Museum of Art to support the tour of WILAM BIIK across Victoria.  Curated by Wurundjeri, Dja Dja  Wurrung and Ngurai illum-Wurrung woman Stacie Piper, WILAM BIIK celebrates the continuous connection between the First Peoples of South East Australia, their Country and their Ancestors.  

First shown at TarraWarra Museum of Art in 2021, WILAM BIIK explores the artists nuanced perceptions of ‘Home Country’ through ten new commissions.

Showcasing new works by Dr Paola Balla (Wemba Wemba & Gunditjmara), Dr Deane Gilson (Waddawurrung), Kent Morris (Barkinji), master weaver Glenda Nicholls (Ngarrindjeri & YortaYorta), Steven Rhall (Taungurung), Nannette Shaw(Tyeereelore, Boonwurrung/ Bunurong), Kim Wandin (Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung), Lewis Wandin-Bursill (Wurundjeri/Woi-wurrung), Arika Waulu (Djap Wurrung, Peek Wurrung, Dhauwurd Wurrung),  and the Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri Women’s Dance Group, Stacie Piper has carefully curated differing voices.

NETS Victoria is committed to supporting First Nations creative practice, with a focus on supporting projects that centre and platform a diversity of voices and perspectives. This project WILAM BIIK is an important contribution as it centres artists from South East Australia consolidating our position as a Victorian based organization with a national presence.  We are proud and honoured to enable regional audiences across Victoria and Australia the opportunity to engage with this exhibition, its artists and stories.  

On behalf of NETS Victoria, I would like to sincerely thank our partner TarraWarra Museum of Art, led by Director Victoria Lynn. We thank Stacie Piper for her commitment to the project and the extraordinary level of knowledge, care and leadership she has brought to the exhibition. We are also grateful to the Victorian Government for their support through Creative Victoria – without which this tour would not have been possible.   

Finally, we thank the extraordinary First Nations South East Australian artists and contributing writers for their creative works illustrating the ongoing connection between First Peoples, their Country and Ancestors. 

Bec Cole
Chair, NETS Victoria Board

Stacie Piper standing in Paola Balla's 'Murrup (Ghost) Weaving in Rosie Kuka Lar (Grandmother’s Camp)' 2021. Installation view (detail), Tarrawarra Museum of Art. Photograph: T. J. Garvie
Stacie Piper standing in Paola Balla’s ‘Murrup (Ghost) Weaving in Rosie Kuka Lar (Grandmother’s Camp)’ 2021. Installation view (detail), Tarrawarra Museum of Art. Photograph: T. J. Garvie