IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ALWAYS
Celebrating the strength, care and cultural continuity of Blak women and their powerful connections to Country, Community and Culture.
It’s Always Been Always brings together six Blak women artists whose practices celebrate and honour powerful connections to Country, Community and Culture, while asserting Blak sovereignty through contemporary art. The exhibition centres the deep generational work these artists do: nurturing stories, sustaining relationships, and holding tenderness and strength at the same time.
Originally presented at Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre, the exhibition is shaped by a guiding proposition: that sovereignty is not abstract, but lived — carried through language, kinship, care, joy, rage, and cultural nurture. The works move between personal testimony and collective memory, speaking from diverse Nations and geographies while remaining united by Blak women’s leadership as custodians, connectors and community makers.
CURATOR
Zali Morgan (Whadjuk, Balladong and Wilman Noongar)
ARTISTS
Amanda Bell (Badimia and Yued Noongar)
Harriette Bryant (Pitjantjara – Mimili Maku Arts)
Wendy Hubert (Yindjibarni – Juluwarlu Art Group)
Yabini Kickett (Bibulman/Noongar)
Jazz Money (Wiradjuri and Irish)
Kaylene Whiskey & the Iwantja Young Women’s Film Project (Yankunytjatjara – Iwantja Arts)
It’s Always Been Always champions female Aboriginal artists from across Australia. It seeks to reflect on the resilience of Aboriginal women and pay homage to their strength and wisdom which has shaped our communities. Each artist will bring her own story – stories of women, motherhood and femininity – stories that need to be told and which speak to broader contemporary issues in the Australian arts and political landscape. Now is the time to listen to First Nations artists and communities, and in particular, Blak women.
Zali Morgan
TOURING DETAILS FOR VENUES
| AVAILABILITY | 2027 – 2029 |
| COST SHARE | Non-members: $5,000 + GST Members: $4,500 + GST |
| MEDIA | Video, works on paper, mixed media, neon, installation |
| INSTALL REQUIREMENTS | Minimum 50 running metres Low ambient light preferred for optimal viewing of video works One video work displayed with projector (ART ON THE MOVE to supply) Neon artwork requires standard power supply and secure wall fixing Corner of gallery long enough to display curved 9.6m work on paper Text painted directly onto walls when available |
| INTERPRETATION MATERIALS | Exhibition intro panel/s, artwork labels, large font labels booklet |
| LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT* | Strong Women Certificate Station (onsite activity, all ages); curator tour and in-conversation (in-person, recorded or online); panel-style conversation (in-person or pre-recorded); yarning circles and community conversations linked to exhibition themes, led by local Elders |
| MARKETING | Marketing Kit includes high resolution photos, media release template, poster, invitation and invitation list |
*Learning & Engagement programs are in development and subject to change. Please contact us for the latest information
This tour is made possible through the Regional Creative Industries Fund with support from the WA Government.
Header image: Wendy Hubert, My Story (section view), 2025. Photo: Aaron Claringbold, courtesy of Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre