Water Lesson: Three | Casino Wake Up Time

Lesson three:

Explore the relationship between water and weaving with Bundjalung weaving group and 23rd Biennale of Sydney (2022) participants Casino Wake Up Time.

For the Biennale of Sydney’s third Water Lesson, join Casino Wake Up Time artists Auntie Janelle Duncan, Auntie Margaret Torrens, Theresa Bolt and Kylie Caldwell as they share stories and discuss sustainable practice through individual and collaborative weaving activities at the South Eveleigh Community Rooftop.

Casino Wake Up Time have been meeting for over 10 years to share stories, learn traditional crafts and make intricate pieces. Sharing skills has been a way of renewing culture for the group.

At the Water Lesson, participants will connect with Country and with place through a carefully guided exploration of material culture.

Lesson Three will culminate in aninformal eating experience catered by the social enterprise and asylum seeker and refugee kitchen Parliament on King. The shared eating experience will encourage storytelling and togetherness.

Building upon Lessons One and Two, Lesson Three empowers participants to bring their new water knowledges back home, beyond the program and to share these lessons with friends and family. All are welcome and no prior knowledge is necessary.

Water lessons overview

Water Lessons celebrates learning through doing. Taking place on the third Sunday of each month throughout April 2021 – March 2022, Water Lessons is an opportunity to connect with community in the lead up to the 23rd Biennale of Sydney (2022). Rooted in an exploration of waterways and weaving, the 23rd Biennale of Sydney will celebrate place by reimagining the conservation and protection of our natural resources.

Casino wake-up time

Established 2006 in Casino, Australia

Janelle Duncan. Born 1964 in Mungindi, Australia. Kamilaroi

Margaret Torrens. Born 1954 in Casino, Australia. Bundjalung

Theresa Bolt. Born 1972 in Ballina, Australia. Bundjalung

Kylie Caldwell. Born 1974 in Casino, Australia. Bundjalung

Auntie Janelle Duncan, Auntie Margaret Torrens, Theresa Bolt and Kylie Caldwell are based in Casino and have been meeting for over ten years to share stories, learn traditional crafts and make intricate pieces. Sharing skills has been a way of renewing culture for the group. The artists have held several exhibitions locally as well as showing at Boomalli Gallery in Sydney. The women have transformed their passion for weaving into a unique collection of garments, jewellery, bags and baskets. The group have also conducted numerous workshops locally, regionally and nationally.

Photograph: Kylie Caldwell, Woven Vessel nesting in paperbark tree, 2021. Photographer: Imbi Davidson. © Casino Wake Up Time

Parliament on King

Parliament on King is a culturally diverse organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers through employment opportunities, financial security and most importantly friendship and community. Parliament is best known for their café on King Street, Erskineville, their Social Enterprise Catering project, and now Uma, their Curry House in Darling Square.