Kaiela Arts

Kaiela Arts’ President Robert ‘Bobby’ Nicholls is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Wadjabalok man and the nephew of Sir Douglas Nicholls. Bobby was a Director of VACCA for 10 years, first joining in1981. Bobby has worked in community run organisations such as the Aborigines Advancement League, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, and the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria. Bobby is one of the founding members of Yarnin’ Pictures, formed by his passion to document Elders stories whilst training Aboriginal youth in the art of filmmaking. Bobby’s hope and vision for the future, “In 40 years, I have one wish in my lifetime, whilst I’m still surviving, I hope that no child is ever removed from their parents. And I’m hoping that with greater education for our people, especially our younger families of today, that we learn from our mistakes.

Amy Briggs was born in Mooroopna and is a proud Yorta-Yorta womanm mother and grandmother. Amy grew up on the Dungala at Cummeragunja and now lives most in Shepparton. Amy says ‘As an artist, I love the amazing and inspiring journey with our group of elders, coming together and working on our art and telling our stories. The gallery is a place of learning, healing and hope.

Laurel Briggs Robinson was born in Mooroopna Victoria and I am a proud Yorta Yorta – Wurunjeri woman. Laurel grew up in Shepparton where she attended school up until her teen years. When she joined Kaiela Arts gallery, she realized her hidden feelings she had in art and the memories of her childhood. Laurel loves working with the other Elders and exchanging stories with the younger generations.

Cynthia was born and raised in Mooroopna and over the years has filled her home with her beautiful creations. Reluctant to part with anything, she says her home is almost full to the rafters Her paintings adorn canvas, rocks, emu eggs, timber, papier-mâché bowls, clap sticks, boomerangs, anything she can get her hands on and often more than one thing at a time. Her love of art and craft began as a child and has continued throughout her life. Mostly self-taught, she enjoys teaching her granddaughters how to paint, sharing her art supplies and painting small canvases and boomerangs.

Lyn Thorpe is a proud Yorta Yorta woman. Art has always been an important aspect of her life. As a teenager Lyn loved working with textiles, designing and hand-sewing her own clothes. She has experimented with new and different techniques and styles in making art including digital media by mixing photos, paintings and craft in a digital format. For Lyn, art is more than the object itself, but rather the social connection to the stories and people she works with.

Jack Anselmi is a proud Yorta Yorta man from Mooroopna, Victoria. A regular participating artist at Kaiela Arts, Jack enjoys sharing his knowledge with others and learning new skills. He is highly regarded for his striking animal carvings, sculptures and ceramics. A recurring theme in his ceramics is the long-neck turtle which is the Yorta Yorta totem. Jack breathes life into previously inanimate objects whether in wood or ceramic, his animals have an energy about them that is captivating.

Ally Knight is a Yorta Yorta woman from Shepparton. Ally discovered her love for weaving in 2021, having been taught by Suzanne Atkinson.She has since furthered her skills and creates a variety of items including wall hangings and jewellery and has started her own business, Mulana Earth. Ally works at Kaiela Arts as the Galnyatj Education and Culture Coordinator and continues to explore and learn about her culture through her work.

Tarli is a proud Yorta Yorta, Moiraban woman born and raised in Shepparton. Tarli also has Wiradjuri connections through her paternal grandmother. She is a proud mother of two young boys. Tarli loves and is passionate about family, culture, art, history and stories. From a young age being immersed in community and culture and watching her Mum and listening to Elders sparked her passion for knowledge . Tarli has always been creative and loved art and being creative from a young age. Tarli has a beauty therapy background with a Diploma in Beauty Therapy. In 2021 Tarli was hired as an Artist at Kaiela arts for the annual Turtle Muster and helping out on the registration table. She went on to secure a part time job working front of house for 2 years and also completed a Creative Indigenous Residency for 3 months at SAM in 2022 learning different aspects of gallery and museum operations as well as planning and organising a cultural workshop. In 2023 Tarli facilitated Kaiela Arts Turtle Muster Community Day and then commenced a new role as Art Centre Assistant that sees her undertaking a wide range of activities including hosting exhibition opening, presenting gallery talks, helping out in the studio space and with artist and community programs, hosting Galnyatj schools workshops and curating the window space in the gallery. She really enjoys working at Kaiela Arts and finds her work fulfilling and is excited for her future in the art space.

Chris Walker was born and raised in the Greater Shepparton Area and is a proud Yorta Yorta man. He is excited to be working within the arts Industry as he has spent most of his life growing up with a Mum who was and still is a passionate painter and he has been trying to find a way to use his own skills within the field. He is passionate about helping Indigenous people within his community to gain new opportunities within employment with sustainable outcomes, and he hopes to create long standing relationships with the local Indigenous organisations and businesses. He enjoys camping, hiking and exploring all throughout the different terrain in Australia and is an avid reader and writer. He is currently working as the Indigenous Residency Coordinator in the engagement team at SAM and also works at Kaiela Arts on Front of House. He hopes to be a part of creating safe spaces which bridge both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together where all people can feel seen, connected and inspired through play, creativity, innovation and everything else the arts space offers.

River is a 22 year old young creative based in Nathalia, with Warlpiri family connections. He is a very self-motivated and dynamic young artist who has been writing and producing his own music and DJing for many years, and now developing skills in film, photography, editing. River has also completed training in Disability Care. River has produced and released original solo works spanning hip hop and rap, to orchestral and soundscapes. He was a founding member of music collective Heard Instinct in 2018 and performed at festivals and events around Victoria including Land of Plenty. He is also a regular collaborator with Yorta Yorta artists Neil Morris and Bricky B in Shepparton and contributes regularly to cultural events in his hometown and surrounds.