EXHIBITION: WIRAY MIDHANG (NOT ALONE): BREE RILEY
Wiray Midhang (Not Alone): Bree Riley
Exhibition Dates: 27 July to 29 Sept 2024
Exhibition Preview & Artist Tour: Sat 3 Aug 11:30AM – 1:30PM
RSVP Here: https://tickets.casulapowerhouse.com/Events/Exhibition-Preview-Artist-Talks
Exhibition launch: Sat 3 Aug 2:00 – 4:00PM
(NOTE: exhibition will launch alongside Between Waves and 32nd Mil-Pra AECG prize announcements)
Wiray Midhang (Not Alone) is a solo exhibition by Wiradyuri artist Bree Riley which brings the movement and life of Bree’s Country to Casula.
Living off-country often creates a sense of disconnection and isolation. For Bree, painting is a spiritual and meditative process. In these quiet moments, painting transports Bree to her Country and allows her to connect, feel and draw on the strength of those that have come before her.
“Through my work and the stories I share - I want to make people feel the movement and the life country breaths through my work. I want to transport them to my Country. To feel the way my Country speaks to me and hear what it has to say when you listen deeply. We are never alone.”
- Bree Riley
Image credit: Bree Riley, Darnan (unbreakable), 2024, Acrylic on canvas
Artist Bio
Bree Riley is a proud Wiradyuri woman living on Dharawal country in Engadine NSW. Her work is an exploration and expression of the journey, depth and complexity of cultural connection. Bree captures natural elements to tell stories centred around respect, connection and resilience.
For Bree, her artworks create an important exchange and aim to reflect and connect others to the calm, strength and resilient energy held within. A moment to breathe and be still, to be nurtured by nature and the strength of her culture and Ancestors.
Primarily using acrylic paint on canvas or cotton paper, Bree captures the textures and depths of the natural elements though layers of free-flowing dots and close and contrasting muted tones. It is this balance and sophistication that creates the calming effect and movement often seen in her works.
Bree received a Highly Commended in the Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize - Indigenous Emerging Artist category and was the Winner of the 2022 Mil-Pra AECG Exhibition Maria Lock Award. Bree has previously been a finalist in the National Emerging Art Prize, National Capital Art Prize, Mosman Art Prize, Gosford Art Prize, Fishers Ghost Award and the Yapang Emerging Art Prize. She was the 2023 recipient of the Casula Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship Award.
About the Casula Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship
The Casula Powerhouse Aboriginal Scholarship Award is proudly sponsored by Dharug Strategic Management Group, David Harding & Nabila Ansari and supported by Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre (CPAC) as part of the Mil-Pra AECG Annual Exhibition and Prizes. The winning artist receives funds to go towards an exhibition at the CPAC along with support from CPAC curatorial staff. Mentorship by a First Nations artist and/or curator is also available. Dharug (Buruberong, Wumali) artist Leanne Tobin worked with Bree Riley as her mentor for this exhibition. The Scholarship winner’s exhibition launches the same day as the annual Mil-Pra AECG awards ceremony and launch.