Wagga artist Juanita McLauchlan’s first state art museum exhibition is about family and features a seven-metre-long blanket stitched together from wool and possum fur. Photo: Supplied.
Wagga Wagga artist Juanita McLauchlan’s first state art museum exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW has gone on display.
Yilaa Minyaminyabal Maaru-ma-lda-y (Soon Everything Will Be Healing) is about family, and features a seven-metre-long blanket stitched together from vintage blankets and possum pelts, alongside a sensory experience for the eyes and ears.
The Gamilaaray artist hopes people feel like they “get a hug” when they attend the showing.
“First Nations people, African people, have always used skin to protect themselves in the winter, in the sun, and we wrap our babies up and everything like that,” she said.
“I just want to make sure people feel they get a hug when they walk into the space.
“So the fact that I’m repurposing blankets sort of, is a nod, and tribute to the mothers after the Depression, after the war, here at Wagga.
“When you enter the space, it’s quite dark, but the blankets are glowing, and they’ve got this beautiful halo around them, and they’re casting little wobbly shadows at the base of them.
“You’ll actually hear the sound of the wind, the Murrumbidgee River and also my family’s heartbeat.
“My family is my art; I wanted to have their heartbeats within the area. Not all my family could make it to the opening, so their heartbeats are there.”
2025 has been a “beautiful roller coaster ride” for Mrs McLauchlan, but the recent funding cuts to Wagga Wagga Art Gallery which will impact the artist residency programs, has been weighing heavily on her mind.
“I wouldn’t have got here without the help of the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery,” she said.
“It is such an important space for all people, to have that support and be championed by these people and these foundations.
“So when we heard that Wagga didn’t get the funding and other little places around regional areas, it’s just … it’s heartbreaking.
“All the money is going to the cities. The cities are fortunate enough, they have that access. But we’re producing amazing work out here in the regional areas. And we need that support.”
The Yilaa Minyaminyabal Maaru-ma-lda-y (Soon Everything Will Be Healing) exhibition is part of the Art Gallery of NSW’s Contemporary Project series, and will be open until 19 October. Entry is free and more information can be found here.
