IT’S art of the most intimate kind – belly casting – and it’s being used to help create stronger networks within the Indigenous community.
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In the advanced stages of pregnancy women are helped to create a plaster cast of their bellies.
Once it is dried (and generally after the little one is born) they meet up again at the Tobwabba Art gallery to decorate it. Moulds are created and filled to create mini sculptures of the babies’ feet and hands.
They’re also painted with bright indigenous designs.
And it’s not just mothers who get involved, as Raylene Avery from Casino pointed out.
“It’s really relaxing. I moved here from Casino so it’s a good way to get to know people.”
Beyond Empathy, a Moree-based organisation, has helped to introduce the program at Tobwabba.
Representatives of various health services attend the gatherings and provide information and advice.
The artworks will be featured as part of a NAIDOC Week exhibition at the Great Lakes Library on July 8.
A large blank canvas will also form part of the exhibition, as local artist Ronnie Potter explains:
“We want the whole community to come along and help create this hand print canvas – no matter what culture, age or religion – young and old – we want everybody to come together.”
One of the most significant Aboriginal cultural events of the year, NAIDOC week this year runs until July 10 with the theme Songlines – the living narrative of our nation.