Lismore City Council through Lismore Regional Gallery and the Quadrangle are proud to present a new First Nations-led creative wellbeing program launching with multi-sensory exhibition ‘Grounded’ this October.  

GROUNDED explores native bush plants endemic to the Northern Rivers in an innovative exhibition featuring the works of Widjabul-Wiabul/Yaegl sound and performance artist Mitch King and socially engaged artist and filmmaker Karenza Ebejer.  

The exhibition brings together film, sound installations and interactive artworks created in collaboration with Bundjalung community Elders. King’s sound installation features recordings of native species integral to a regenerative ecology project led by Namabunda farm, while Ebejer’s film “Ecosphere” meditates on the interconnection of life forms, inspired by local native plants. 

The exhibition is a continuation of King and Ebejer’s 2022/23 collaborative project, “Our Place, Our Species”, which celebrates Bundjalung cultural knowledge and connection to Country.  

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said: “Lismore City Council is committed to investing in native bushland restoration and regeneration projects through our Rural Landholder Initiatives and Urban Landcare programs. This increasingly involves working with traditional owners to bring culturally informed restoration.” 

Through the voices of Elders and Custodians, the exhibition offers audiences a unique opportunity to engage deeply with Bundjalung stories and the regenerative power of native bush plants. 

"Through this work, we are creating space for conversations about the interconnection between people and place, and the deep cultural knowledge that informs our understanding of these relationships," King explains. “We want to highlight how these plants are more than just flora; they are integral to our community’s identity and wellbeing.” 

Ebejer adds: “Our work is about honouring the wisdom of Elders and sharing these stories in a way that fosters awareness and hope for a future where native bush plants are revitalised, and connection to Country is celebrated.” 

GROUNDED will feature a series of interactive workshops designed to deepen public understanding of the importance of connecting with nature. These workshops will include hands-on experiences with native bush plants and discussions on ecological regeneration, inspired by the cultural knowledge shared through the exhibition. 

WHAT’S ON:  

Exhibition Opening: Wednesday, 9 October 2024 

Location: Event Space, Lismore Regional Gallery 

Thursday, 10 October:  

• 3-6pm: Weaving with the Healing Hub in the Quad 
• 5pm: Welcome to Country, Official Exhibition Opening  

Saturday, 12 October:  

• 11-1pm: Nature Photography Workshop with Karenza Ebejer and Dr Jenny Fraser 
• A creative workshop for young women between the ages of 14-18 years to explore native bush foods and plants in the local area.  

Thursday, 17 October:  

• 3-6pm: Weaving with the Healing Hub in the Quad  

Saturday, 19 October:  

• 11-1pm: Jeticaco Art Workshop with Jenny Smith 
• Come along to an all-ages session of creativity, where we can explore nature through the use of water colours, on paper.  
• 2-4pm: Grounded Movement with Mitch King 
• Immerse yourself in a workshop that will look at how we can acknowledge the beauty and power of nature while also becoming more grounded through our own movement and mindfulness. 

About Grounded

GROUNDED is the first step in a broader First Nations-led creative wellbeing program aimed at strengthening community cohesion and wellbeing through a series of small-scale creative placemaking events. Led by an appointed First Nations Project Officer, the program will engage First Nations and youth communities throughout 2025, fostering resilience and a sense of belonging by connecting people to place. 

This program will be delivered in partnership with Southern Cross University and funded by the Foundation of Regional and Rural Renewal. This collaboration leverages SCU's strong focus on environmental science and Indigenous knowledge to enhance the exhibition’s educational impact. Through research, workshops, and community engagement, the partnership aims to deepen public understanding of the ecological and cultural significance of native bush plants. 

"Southern Cross University is committed to advancing community wellbeing and ecological sustainability through education and research," said the University’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mary Spongberg. "Partnering with Lismore City Council through the Lismore Quadrangle aligns with our mission to support cultural and environmental stewardship in the Northern Rivers."