Spanning more than five decades of Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft's career, "I am Gurgun" is a powerful and visually captivating exhibition.
Set to open on Friday 24 October and continue until Saturday 31 January next year, "I am Gurgun" invites audiences to experience the evolution of Dr Bancroft's visionary career.
From wearable art on the world stage to awe inspiring paintings documenting her family's resilience and survival, the new exhibition features a little something of everything.
Gurgun translates to Kookaburra in Bundjalung language, and is Dr Bancroft's personal totem, while the title speaks to Dr Bancroft's strength as a Bundjalung woman.
"Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft's art is a testament to resilience, culture, pride, and the power to create her songline," Boomalli member, long-time friend, and daughter of the late Euphemia Bostock, Tracey L. Bostock said.
"Her creative brushstrokes bridge generations of young and old to express a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, Country and most importantly family and community.
"Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft has been and remains a strong advocate, mentor, and activist through her creative voice."
Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft. (Image: Toby Peet)
Dr Bancroft is deeply connected to her culture and her community, and has always strived to heighten respect and awareness for the first colonised people in NSW.
"My Art has been a continuous love letter to my Elders and Ancestors acknowledging all they had to endure just to survive." she said.
Dr Bancroft started the first Aboriginal fashion design shop 'Designer Aboriginals' in Sydney in 1985 and was one of the first Australian designers to showcase their work in Paris in 1987 alongside Euphemia Bostock (dec.) and Mini Heath (dec.) as part of the 'Australis Down Under' fashion show at the Au Printemps Department Store.
Her collection from the Paris runway will also be presented in this exhibition including the dramatic Cycle of Life Opera Cape, acquired by the Powerhouse Museum in 1994.
Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft. Cycle of Life Opera Cape (1987). (Image: courtesy of the Powerhouse Museum.)
The upcoming exhibition will include politically charged works from the land rights era to Dr Bancroft's paintings and award-winning illustrations which have shaped generations of First Nations storytelling.
Her books have sold over 1 million copies worldwide.
"I've always loved seeing Bronwyn's work which always makes me feel safe when going into unfamiliar places. I want this exhibition to be an insight into who Bronwyn is, by highlighting her beautiful works from the last five decades," said Boomalli curator, Kyra Kum-Sing.
"Bronwyn is a kind hearted and caring family person, who has mentored myself and many other Aboriginal artists in understanding the arts and cultural sector. Bronwyn is a key part of Boomalli today, and also one of the ten founding members of this Co-operative."
Dr Bancroft's retrospective offers a rich and immersive journey through the artist's visual language and creative expression – one deeply rooted in her Bundjalung identity, fierce activism, motherhood, and her intergenerational resilience that brings her unique perspective as an Aboriginal woman from Northern NSW for the world to see.
The exhibition will feature key loans from the Art Gallery of NSW, National Gallery of Australia, Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Artbank, Macquarie University, as well as private collections.
Dr Bancroft is also one of ten Founding Members of Boomalli, established in 1987. Her work and dedication as a volunteer saved Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative from closure on several occasions, the most recent in 2009.
She has been commissioned for many public artworks including Time Travellers at Central Station (2024), Chasing Dreams Tunnel for VIVID Sydney (2025), Queen Victoria Building Christmas Tree (2022-2025), United we Stand, Divided we Fail Hugo St Redfern Mural (2006), Royal North Shore Atrium Lift Shaft (2012) and a large-scale mural 'Gift Given' at Tempe.
Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft. Matrilineal Landscape (2008). (Image: Sharon Hickey)
Dr Bancroft is currently Chair of the First Nations Arts and Culture Advisory Board for Create NSW, Board Member of the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and Senior Strategist at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, and is continually mentoring as an Elder and Senior Artist.
I am Gurgun: A Retrospective of Work by Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft AM will be shown from the 24 October 2025 to 31st of January 2026.
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