Mamma G aka Gambirra (she/her) and her two daughters Yvonne (she/her) & Ena (she/her) are inspiring and empowering performers and First Nations Cultural Facilitators, gracing platforms across Australia within communities, councils, festivals, educational and corporate sectors.
The Illume Girls are an offshoot of the big band ‘Gambirra MOB’, a world fusion of tribal roots, accompanied by a tight-interlocked Rhythm Section. They deliver emotive and soulful music described as "smokey honey", singing harmonies both in Yolngu Matha and English. Their music and message is conscious and healing, sharing connections to Country and Self. Evoking strength, unity, and dignity.
“Family, culture, resilience, and love is what anchors us. Working and creating together allows us to retrace the memories stored in our ancestral connections to Country. Country is Creation, and a part of our First Nations knowledge systems, our social and emotional wellbeing. We hold space for each other to learn and adapt. To be evermore young, old, and new” - The Illume Girls
Hailing from NE Arnhem Land, Australia. Related to Yolngu family such as Yothu Yindi & Dr G Yunupingu. The ILLUME Girls performances aim to strengthen connections to the natural world and bridge cultures for social change.
Renae Saxby is a Documentary and Music Photographer living on Wonnarua Country, NSW. As well as documenting the music world, she has worked extensively in remote communities globally.
"It is an honour to photograph the raw beauty of The Illume Girls in celebration of IWD. Much of my time over recent years has been spent surrounded by the strong First Nations women of Arnhem Land. I am constantly in awe of their connection to Country, knowledge, the resilient pillars of strength that they are for their family and community, their intricate cultural systems and languages, their art, song and creativity, and the unshakable ancient beauty and depth that emanates from each and every woman. It feels extra special that this connection played out in this exhibition all the way southeast on Worimi Country." - Renae Saxby
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We Are is a multi-location multimedia photographic experience highlighting creative women of Newcastle, commencing on Wednesday March 8th 2023 (International Women’s Day) and culminating in a celebration event at The Lock-Up on Friday March 24th.
We Are is a portrait project featuring 20 WH!P Collective members turning their lenses towards fellow female and non-binary creatives to highlight the many benefits that a thriving and diverse artistic community bring to our region.
WH!P (Women* of the Hunter !n Photography) was founded in 2020 to embrace and create opportunities for professional photographers from the Hunter region by leveraging the combined skills, experience and credentials of its members. Fostering a culture of support, celebration, exchange, education, advocacy, action, enjoyment, play and growth, it hopes to actively raise the profile of contemporary photographic excellence, education and experimentation in the Hunter Region. WH!P works collaboratively with those both within and beyond the local area who share our belief that the world should be shown through a lens as diverse as the real world.
*all references to women/woman is inclusive of gender diverse people
WH!P’s logos and graphics designed by Laura Kent
“Family, culture, resilience, and love is what anchors us. Working and creating together allows us to retrace the memories stored in our ancestral connections to Country. Country is Creation, and a part of our First Nations knowledge systems, our social and emotional wellbeing. We hold space for each other to learn and adapt. To be evermore young, old, and new”