Working with the Town of East Fremantle, Yabini Kickett initially approached her residency with the intention to work with the youth of the neighbourhood, investigating what connected them to place. The river was a constant point of pride that came up in conversation, eventuating in the collaborative textile work made with students of Richmond Primary, which features in the exhibition at Cullity Gallery. 

The Noongar word for river – bilya – is homonymous, with its other meaning being ‘umbilical cord’. Culturally, this perpetuates the continuity and balance of people with boojar.  

With the same logic, Yabini continued her exploration, later deciding to speak to people with experiences of birthing and/or growing up in the East Fremantle area. The culmination of her work is an invitation to listen, learn and reflect on how the stories surrounding birth have contributed to the cultural memory of place, within the wider context of Whadjuk Noongar Bibulmun Country. 

The Know Thy Neighbour #3 exhibition continues until March 25 at Cullity Gallery, Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5pm. 

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