The Torch: We Sit in Circle at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre

Presented by The Torch in partnership with Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, We Sit in Circle returns for its second iteration this July as part of Naidoc Week. Curated by Ngarrindjeri artist and The Torch First Peoples arts mentor Flick Chafer-Smith, the exhibition showcases works by First Peoples women whose art reflects resilience, identity and the enduring power of culture.

For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have used symbols as a visual language to pass down stories and express spiritual beliefs. Among them is the circle, which represents a meeting or resting place. “It reflects how we come together – sitting in circles, yarning [talking], and sharing,” Chafer-Smith says. “Lines extending from the circle signify journey paths, showing movement to and from that place of connection.”

Chafer-Smith has designed the exhibition to reference this motif. Works by artists living in the community frame the gallery space, while those by artists currently in prison sit at the centre – a place of regrouping, reconnection and rest before continuing their paths beyond incarceration.

The exhibiting artists are mothers, aunties, grandmothers, daughters and sisters. Through bold paintings and finely crafted weavings, they share stories of hope, healing and survival while maintaining cultural practice and connection.

Alongside the exhibition, dive deeper into the work with a free floor talk on July 18, led by Chafer-Smith and exhibiting artists. On July 21, The Torch will also hold We Weave in Circle, a hands-on weaving workshop led by an artist from The Torch. Bookings are essential for both special events.

Founded to support First Peoples with lived experience of incarceration, The Torch works to strengthen cultural identity through art, with all creative activity led by First Peoples artists and mentors. Every artwork featured in We Sit in Circle is available to buy, with 100 per cent of the sale price going directly to the artist.

We Sit in Circle runs from July 3 to 30 in the Birnbeal Rainbow Exhibition Space at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.

Find out more and plan your visit.

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