WIYA, WUBA, WANNA Speak, Make, Listen
An image of an Aboriginal painting in warm colours
WIYA, WUBA, WANNA
Speak, Make, Listen
Zona Kelly, Warren Sherwood, and Penny Dunstan
Please join the artists for the launch event at the University Gallery on Saturday 13 June from 2pm
Aunty Zona Kelly and Uncle Warren Sherwood have created a series of works exploring personal relationships to Country. In developing the exhibition, Aunty April Newman taught them conversational Gathang, the local language of the Worimi ancestors. Their artistic responses explored a greater affinity to place, experienced through speaking language. Penny Dunstan, artist and agronomist, was invited by the artists to respond from a settler’s perspective to their work.
Wiya – speaking Gathang creates links to ancestors and to Place.
Wanna – the artists developed independent responses from meetings and explorations of Country, evoking the essence of story and place.
Wuba – this is an invitation to the artists and to the audience to connect with the narratives on the walls.
These are stories that illuminate a deepening relationship with Mother Earth.The artists offer an invitation to reflect on the value of speaking to, making with, and listening to Country.
IMAGE: Zona Kelly, Sap of a Tree, acrylic on canvas
Event Information
- Date: 13 June – 18 July 2026
- Location: The University Gallery
- Campus: Newcastle (Callaghan)
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.