Wise Ways & Inspiration

Exhibition dates: 21 August -  12 September

Official Opening: Wednesday 21 August, 6:30pm 

RSVP HERE

Alliance Française de Melbourne
51 Grey St, St Kilda

As a proud Kirrae Whurrong woman and the daughter of Aboriginal Elder Banjo Clarke, Fiona Clarke has for over 30 years been depicting her Aboriginal culture through visual art: including tapestry, painting, public art and children’s literature. In 2018, Fiona had the opportunity to visit France for the launch of the translated edition of her late father’s biography Wisdom Man. During her time in France, she visited her Great Uncle William ‘Reg’ Rawlings’ grave in Harbonières where he died in WWI in 1918. Wise Ways & Inspiration will exhibit a combination of Fiona’s older artworks, that depict some of the stories her father recounts in Wisdom Man – as well as some newer works, that have been inspired by her experiences in France last year.

'Poison Porridge' - Fiona Clarke

 Gold Buttons (Miss Nancy Lee's Dance on Second Floor)' - Fiona Clarke

About Fiona Clarke

Born in Warrnambool, South West Victoria in 1963, Fiona is a Kirrae Whurrong Aboriginal woman.

For over 30 years Fiona has depicted her Aboriginal culture through the visual arts, including tapestry, painting, public art and children’s literature. Fiona has created a variety of artworks using uncomplicated symbols, juxtaposed against rich earthy backgrounds and colours, producing vibrant contemporary works of art. She has become a well-known figure in the art world, and her work is in collections nationally and internationally. More recently her focus has been on public arts, having been commissioned to create works in Warrnambool, Colac, Camperdown, Terang, and Melbourne. Currently, Fiona is writing and illustrating her second Aboriginal children’s book ‘The Rainbow Serpent Is Coming’, having been awarded funding by the City of Melbourne.