In June-September 2021, The Mill welcomed Yankunytjatjara woman, multidisciplinary artist Lilla Berry to undertake a residency in our studios supported by City of Adelaide. The outcome of this residency was a new exhibition, STNRG WMN, presented in our gallery for Tarnanthi 2021. Lilla has collaborated with strong women, including Pearl Berry, Iteka Ukarla, Carly Tarkari Dodd, Mali Isabel, Amber Ahang, Kirsty Williams and Morgan Sette.
(Images below: Morgan Sette)
Image: Lilla Berry in the Exhibition Space, Photo Morgan Sette.
Image: Lilla Berry and Mali Isabel in conversation with The Mill’s Adele Sliuzas. Photo Morgan Sette.
Artist statement
The arts have always been embedded into my life. My family is made up of musicians and visual artists, and practicing art was something I just did when I was younger. Although using my body seemed to be one of the things I enjoyed most, whether that was dancing or acrobatics. As I got older and more influenced by others around me, the inherent idea that I was an artist shifted and changed. My practice moved towards a dance focus, as this was what I had the greatest opportunity to practice. However, as I’ve continued to develop as an arts worker, I’ve been able to tap into the other areas of my practice and continue to develop my skills across a range of mediums, and now have the confidence to articulate myself as a multi-disciplinary artist. Even if each discipline doesn’t get the same amount of my attention, they are equally as important and rewarding for me to practice.
STRNG WMN. will explore what it means to be strong Aboriginal women. Including culturally, physically and mentally. I have always been surrounded by strong women growing up. I was raised by a single mother, and as an athlete all of my team mates were strong women, being strong role models. And growing up watching other young Aboriginal woman dancing with Kurruru, I was so inspired by their strength in culture.
Through working with my community, I will take the lived experiences of other women to inform movement to be captured on film, still images and installation. I want to capture the authentic voices of our community, and explore all the ways we as women find strength, as it comes in all different types of forms.
⏤ Lilla Berry
