Opening Night - Return

Opening 6-8pm. Thursday September 19  

Exhibition runs Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd September 

Return is a visual art exhibition by Barkandji artist, writer and researcher Zena Cumpston. For many years Zena has worked to bring together community groups and projects to share research, writing and exhibitions aimed at empowering Country and community, illuminating Indigenous ecological knowledge.  ‘Return’ features artworks, music, talks and workshops celebrating the plant knowledge of southeastern Aboriginal peoples, with a particular focus on the cultural landscape of the Darebin area and the plants of Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country. 

This exhibition will include both Indigenous and non-Indigenous guest collaborators as part of public programs aimed at engaging diverse audiences with Indigenous knowledge, plants of place and the deep knowledge of Country embedded within them. ‘Return’ will provide opportunities for learning, art making, conversation and for empowering actions in our own backyards, balconies and nature strips to support biodiversity and to embrace our shared responsibility to act as custodians of the lands we call home.  

Visitors to Return will be gifted a take-home resource to enable them to bolster biodiversity at home. 

The exhibition and all events are FREE 

All artworks presented are for sale 

This event does not require booking. 

OPENING EVENTS 

Schedule

5.00pm-6:00pm mob-only string making with Zena 

6:15pm-7:15pm – Welcome to Country followed by very special guests (musical performance) FREE 

7:30pm-8:30pm panel discussion ‘plants of place’ with Zena Cumpston (Barkandji) and Maddison Miller (Darug) and special guests. Join us for an intimate discussion exploring the cultural, social and political world of indigenous plants FREE 

Visting on another day? See exhibition opening hours here. 

Find out about Return workshops here - limited spots, register to attend. 

Venue directions 

Eastmint Studios, 25 Eastment St, Northcote. Eastment St is a one-way tight laneway with very limited parking, please park on Westbourne St or nearby - or better still catch PT! 1 minute walk from Northcote Town Hall).  

Disabled access, however the closest disabled toilet is at the Peacock Hotel (nearby on High St).