Now running until 4 July, TAFE NSW Eora exhibition is a hive of creative activity in the lead up to NAIDOC Week.
With a powerful cultural arts exhibition and a series of artist workshops taking place at the community-oriented campus in the heart of Redfern, more than 150 artworks are being showcased in the public exhibition featuring students from Certificate II, III, and IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts.
Open daily, the exhibition includes a vibrant mix of painting, sculpture, digital art, photography, printmaking, and ceramics with each piece sharing heart moving cultural stories of identity, connection, and country.
TAFE NSW Eora plays a significant role in helping students reconnect with their cultural heritage and carve out pathways to creative careers. One such student is Ian Mitchell, an emerging Aboriginal artist with an impressive 17 artworks in the exhibition.
"Growing up, I didn't have much connection to my Aboriginal culture," he said.
"My dad was Aboriginal but part of the silent generation and very closed about giving information. I wanted to get more connected with that side of me, so I studied studying a Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts at Eora. I went on to study the Certificate III and now the Certificate IV. I plan to study further in art curation and continue having my work exhibited. Throughout my courses, I've connected with mob, with Elders, and the Gadigal people where my grandma was from. I feel like I've awoken and been filled after feeling like there was a big chunk of me missing.
"My artworks all carry the theme of connection to water and the concept of being 'saltwater people'. For years I've been swimming near Gooree / Chowder Bay as I felt a connection there. One of my artworks, titled 'Waterdrop' depicts what I see when I open my eyes under water and see the sunshine shining through the water droplets."
Artist workshops will be held from July 2nd and 3rd for 30 remote Indigenous artists who will be in Sydney for the National Indigenous Art Fair.
The workshops will offer hands-on lessons in storytelling through ceramics, screen printing for wearable art, and dry point etching—offering valuable skills development for both emerging and established artists.
Founded in 1984 by Aboriginal playwright and screenwriter Bob Merritt, Eora began as a centre of excellence in visual and performing arts and Aboriginal studies. Today, it remains a vital cultural hub with modern facilities including a theatre, fine arts studios, video and photography studios, and a gallery.
TAFE NSW Eora head teacher of Culture, Arts & Media, Elizabeth Murrah Keys, said the upcoming events represent what the campus is all about—culture, creativity, and community.
"We're always proud to open the doors at Eora, whether it's for local mob or those coming from remote communities," she said.
"As a past student myself, I know firsthand how Eora nurtures the spirit. It's more than a place of learning, Eora is a safe space where our people can connect with culture, grow their creative talents, and walk strong into the arts industry. For many, like Ian Mitchell, it's a healing and life-changing journey."
TAFE NSW Eora Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts Exhibition is open from the 30th of June - 4th of July 2025 from 9am-4pm.
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