Program Outline

Discussion Themes

• Opportunities for First Nations artists in SA
• Challenges and barriers in the sector
• Future possibilities and collaboration
• Ways of working that centre community and culture
• Cultural knowledge and material practices
• Sustaining and strengthening community-led arts

Intergenerational knowledge sharing Key Principles

• Self-determined participation
• Respect for cultural knowledge and protocols
• Flexible, responsive facilitation
• Creative practice as research and connection
• Community-centred dialogue and exchange

Intended Outcomes

• Strengthened networks among First Nations artists, curators, and arts workers
• Contribution to First Nations-led research and knowledge
• Insights into curatorial practices and representation in SA
• Shared creative experiences fostering collaboration and connection

Workshop Facilitators:

Kat Bell

Kat Bell is a First Nations artist, curator, researcher and creative producer whose practice brings together storytelling, cultural knowledge, immersive technologies and community-centred engagement. As a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide, Kat’s research explores decolonising and Indigenous-led curatorial practices, examining how First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing can reshape contemporary arts and cultural spaces.
Working across visual arts, curation, immersive media and creative consultation, Kat is passionate about creating culturally safe and collaborative environments where First Nations voices, experiences and knowledge systems are centred. Her practice is grounded in relational approaches that value dialogue, reciprocity and self-determination, while creating opportunities for meaningful intercultural exchange.
Kat has extensive experience developing and delivering creative projects that combine traditional cultural practices with emerging technologies, exploring new ways of sharing Indigenous stories and expanding audiences’ understanding of place, identity and culture. Her work frequently investigates the intersections between art, community, education and research, using creative practice as a tool for connection, learning and social change.
Through the Weaving Yarns program, Kat invites participants to contribute to an ongoing dialogue about representation, curatorial authority and the future of First Nations-led arts practice in South Australia. By bringing together artists, curators and arts workers through creative making, yarning and knowledge sharing, she seeks to strengthen relationships, support Indigenous leadership and contribute to more equitable and culturally responsive arts and cultural sectors.

Day 1 of the program links directly with her PhD research.

Sonya Rankine

Sonya Rankine is a multidisciplinary artist and the founder of Lakun Mara, grounded in the cultural strength of her Ngarrindjeri, Ngadjuri, Narungga and Wirangu heritage. Her practice is anchored in the traditional weaving techniques of her Ancestors and driven by a commitment to cultural maintenance, survival and revival. Sonya’s work spans large-scale installations, contemporary weaving, jewellery design and cross-disciplinary collaborations that honour cultural knowledge, Country and community.

As a singer and songwriter, Sonya is committed to First Nations language revival and maintenance, particularly Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Ngadjuri. She actively incorporates language into her music, storytelling and community engagement, strengthening identity and supporting intergenerational learning. This commitment to language is woven through her artistic, cultural and educational work.

An award-winning artist, Sonya has been commissioned by major galleries, festivals, government agencies and community organisations. She is also a cultural educator, mentor and facilitator, creating learning spaces that foster connection, healing and cultural pride. Through Lakun Mara, Sonya continues to expand her practice while remaining deeply rooted in ancestral knowledge, ensuring weaving, language and song remain strong and continue to thrive for future generations.

Shaq Koyok

Shaq Koyok is an award-winning contemporary artist, activist and cultural advocate from the Temuan Indigenous community of Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. Through his creative practice, he brings visibility to Indigenous perspectives, using art as a powerful tool for storytelling, cultural preservation and environmental advocacy. His work explores themes of identity, land rights, cultural continuity and the relationship between Indigenous communities and the natural world.

Growing up in a Temuan village surrounded by peat swamp forests, Shaq witnessed firsthand the impacts of logging, deforestation and development on his community’s ancestral lands. These early experiences profoundly shaped his artistic vision and continue to inform his practice today. His paintings often highlight the lived experiences, resilience and aspirations of Orang Asli peoples, while drawing attention to issues of environmental degradation, social justice and Indigenous rights.
Shaq works across a range of mediums including painting, installation, weaving and community-based projects. He is particularly recognised for incorporating traditional materials such as pandanus weaving, bamboo and rattan into contemporary artworks, creating unique conversations between Indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary art practice.

His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including in Malaysia, Melbourne, London and Miami, and he has presented at global forums focused on climate action, sustainability and Indigenous knowledge. Alongside his artistic practice, Shaq is a passionate advocate for Indigenous self-determination and cultural resilience. Through art, dialogue and cultural exchange, Shaq Koyok continues to challenge dominant narratives while celebrating the strength, knowledge and creativity of Indigenous communities.