Being part of Tamborine Mountain Art Collective’s Arts Trail had special meaning for one local artist.
Wangerriburra woman and artist Waylene Currie became involved with the Collective after being asked to perform a smoking ceremony at the launch of the 2024 Arts Trail.
This year she held her first solo exhibition in Main Street, with a range of stunning paintings, vases and merchandise with her designs on display.
“The relationships evolved and Renee Martin from The Artpost offered me this space to use for an exhibition space for the Arts Trail,” she said.
“It is my first solo exhibition. I’ve done exhibitions at The Centre but they have always been group exhibitions.”
The location of the exhibition on Tamborine Mountain also carries deeper meaning for Waylene, who lives in Beaudesert.
“What more meaning to have it up here on Wangerriburra Country? That is really special.”
“This is my grandmother’s Country.”
“Feeling that connection and being present here in this space and able to exhibit, just makes it so much more special.”
Beaudesert local Brendan Knight gave a Welcome to Country at the launch of the Arts Trail and Waylene performed the smoking ceremony, explaining it is a cleansing.
“In our own spirit, or auras, especially in today’s society we build it up and it becomes so stagnant and compact.”
“The smoking provides an opportunity to cleanse your spirit and rid off all those negative energies, so it is a restart.”
The importance of the smoking ceremony was taught to Waylene by Elders and cultural leaders.
Everyone at the launch was invited to walk throughthesmokeaspart of the launch event.
Waylene’s artwork is available through her Facebook page WRLC Arts or online at www. wrlcarts.com.au.
