Gugubarra
Image: Stacey Payten, Gugubarra, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 102cm (detail)
‘Gugubarra’ is the Wiradjuri nation word for Kookaburra. Stacey Payten’s exhibition is a tribute to her beloved grandmother, Dixie, whose spirit lives on through the symbol of the gugubarra.
“Before my grandmother passed, she told our family that she would come back as a gugubarra and laugh at us all. The gugubarra has become an extremely important symbol to our family and all of our households contain many items with a gugubarra on them. Every time we hear the gugubarra’s call we all stop and cry ‘it’s Nana!’
My grandmother, known as Dixie (real name Iris), was a talented and accomplished artist. Her chosen mediums included pottery, glass painting, folk art and quilling. Her favourite was ceramic painting. At every birthday and Christmas engagement or wedding, each family member was given one of her pieces and every time she would exclaim: ‘sorry it’s not more’. Every piece is now cherished and will be passed as an heirloom to our children and so on.
This exhibition pays homage to our family’s matriarch. Nana was spunky, colourful and vibrant, like all my works. As an Indigenous artist, this exhibition show’s my journey of discovery into family and culture. It reflects on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ appreciation of animals, lands and waters through painting, weaving and textiles.
Further information
For more information please contact Arts in Maroondah on 0417 915 347 or email gallery@maroondah.vic.gov.au.
This exhibition is part of National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.

When
-
Monday, 26 May 2025 | 09:00 AM
- Sunday, 13 July 2025 | 05:00 PM
Location
Maroondah Federation Estate, 32 Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood, 3134, View map
-37.8197784,145.2302246
32 Greenwood Avenue ,
Ringwood 3134
Maroondah Federation Estate
32 Greenwood Avenue ,
Ringwood 3134
Gugubarra