The Weaving Way: Auntie Regina Pilawuk Wilson Joins This year’s National Indigenous Art Fair
If you’ve ever stood in front of a painting by Regina Pilawuk Wilson and felt gently, hypnotically drawn in – like your eyes are tracing the spirals of a woven basket or the quiet pulse of Country itself – you’re not alone. The internationally recognised Ngan’gikurrungurr artist and cultural leader behind Durrmu Arts in the Northern Territory has spent decades weaving story, memory and culture into her art, transforming traditional techniques into mesmerising contemporary works.
This July, Auntie Regina joins nearly 30 remote art centres and close to 100 artists from across Australia for the sixth annual National Indigenous Art Fair, held on Gadigal Land at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal. Alongside artists like Alison and Lucinta Puruntatameri (Munupi Arts), Priscilla Herbert and Valerie Brumby (Walkatjara Art), and Chantelle Mulladad (Keringke Arts), Auntie Regina will help bring a powerful collective story alive, showcasing the power of First Nations art.
Running from Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 July, the Art Fair marks the opening of NAIDOC Week and celebrates this year’s theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. Expect a weekend bursting with art, performances, panel discussions, bushfood, and an ethical marketplace showcasing handmade jewellery, homewares and more.
Auntie Regina will share her signature abstract paintings inspired by traditional weaving patterns, and also host a special masterclass where visitors can learn to work with merrepen (sandpalm) fibres gathered in her community of Peppeminarti. Through her work, she’s preserving the old ways, inspiring emerging artists, and helping keep Indigenous knowledge alive. We had a chat with Regina to find out more about her work.
ART ABOVE: SUN MAT BY REGINA PILAWUK WILSON, ACRYLIC ON BELGIAN LINEN.
Your work is deeply connected to weaving and the traditions of your community in Peppimenarti – what inspired you to pursue storytelling through art?
It’s the way old people told and taught stories. Our stories have always been told through art, song and dance.
How does your connection to Country guide your art practice?
Connection to culture keeps me grounded.
Your paintings are mesmerising, full of movement and memory. What stories or ideas do you hope people feel when they look at your work?
My story, my mother’s and grandmother’s, my weavings, how I make them and how that teaches my kids, grandkids and great grandchildren.
What inspires you to keep creating and innovating after all these years?
What inspires me is my love to paint and my family, and to keep culture strong.
SUN MAT BY REGINA PILAWUK WILSON, ACRYLIC ON BELGIAN LINEN.
Durrmu Arts has become such an important hub in Peppimenarti – how do you see its role in supporting younger artists and keeping culture strong?
It’s important for younger artists to learn from us elders to pass that knowledge down and continue telling our stories.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy – what does that mean to you personally?
The strength of what I do is important to carry on our stories, our history and language.
Why is a project like the Indigenous Art Fair important, how does it support and give back to First Nations artists and communities?
It helps us continue our work at the art centre, to continue to practice our culture.
