close to the wind

close to the wind is a new body of work that celebrates Waup’s sustained exploration of printmaking. Investigating new inks and printing techniques, she has revealed through an intuitive process that eloquently illustrates her life’s journey of discovery and connection. Her practice is concerned with the hidden histories of Australia, often referencing the ongoing impacts of colonisation and the layers of colonial intervention that continue to impact First Peoples and the environment. A significant element in Waup’s practice is the First Nation’s concept of Country. This extends to the spiritual and cultural aspects of the land, encompassing the sky and waterways and our individual responsibilities to the native plants and wildlife. The natural environment is a grounding element in my work, in which I encourage a narrative of respect, engagement, and activism. For Waup, motherhood, family, and Country are connected, the act of making allows me to unite histories of dispossession with the strength and resilience of First Nations families, including her own. Incorporating found and historical materials, she addresses the hidden histories First Peoples have held alone. Weaving in objects that may have otherwise been discarded, she gives them a voice. close to the wind is a personal exploration of her life experiences and in many ways her works could be defined as self-reflection. Though her stories are not unique, they are her own. By creating this work, Waup shares with audiences the importance of deep listening, being present, and advocating for family and Country. Hannah Presley an Aboriginal curator, who currently is the senior curator, Art Museums at The University of Melbourne was invited to be a Guest Curator and wrote an essay for the catalogue that accompanied close to the wind, she also gave me much support to enable this exhibition into fruition. This body of work has been created at Spacecraft in Narrm.