AUNTY KIM WANDIN is a Wurundjeri Elder of the Woi-Wurrung language group. She has lived and worked ‘On Country’ in Healesville her entire life. Her traditional basket making has been handed down to her by direct lineage: from her Grandmother, her Great Grandmother and the Ancestors. Aunty Kim’s work represents a significant cultural position within the South East of Victoria as part of an important group of arts practitioners. Her work adheres to and references cultural practices.

As a leading Aboriginal artist, Aunty Kim is exploring contemporary genres that both enhance and compliment her design work, basketry and fibre pieces. Her work speaks of space, texture and light, while giving reference to notions of movement. As an Elder, she advocates for strengthening culture and self-determination with Aboriginal people. She generously shares her knowledge with non-Indigenous people with thoughtfully prepared “Welcome to Country” and ‘Smoking’ ceremonies, as well as her consistent level of integrity working collaboratively with Local Government, organisation and individuals through workshops and as a private consultant.

Aunty Kim is a passionate, caring, professional Aboriginal woman and artist who is committed to her family, Ancestors, Elders and her Culture.

CHRIS JOY brings design, coordination, curation and community engagement skills to the project team. As a specialist in community program and projects, Christine’s prevailing passion is Aboriginal – culture and its role in transforming social and environmental ecologies.

Her work at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria includes the creation of the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. As a member of the design team, Chris spent two years researching the role of plants and nature, upon the sensory, emotional and imaginative inner landscapes. In one component of this project, and one of the many other art-in-landscape projects, Chris worked with Aboriginal artist Glenn Romanis, to create the design concept for the Welcoming Stone, now in place at the entrance of the Children’s Garden. She has led many art-based projects in cultural organisations at community level. Chris collaborates on design and other projects with members of the Aboriginal community of Healesville and manages Hearth Galleries.

RYAN TEWS is a multi-disciplinary artist based along the Birrarung River in Warburton on Wurundjeri Country.

Collaborating respectfully with Aboriginal artists, Ryan is a photographer, video and soundscape artist and his practice aims to honour Country and protect natural ecological systems though awareness and respect.