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Wiradjuri woman Sonia Undy is a Western Riverina artist, conducting a traditional weaving practice from her home studio in Griffith, NSW. For Sonia her weaving practice is anchored in culture, in family and in community. Though she is a multi-disciplinary artist, Sonia says that the revival and regeneration of traditional weaving practice leads to conversations, healing, and the sharing of family and community stories – both ancient and new.
“For girls and women, weaving circles provide a safe place to learn culture, to talk things out and learn a skill.” Sonia said.
Sonia says that to be able to concentrate, create and work with colours and materials as they come allows her to express emotion and create works of beauty. Sonia grew up in Griffith and Darlington Point, walking and learning with her grandmother, who shared stories of her own childhood at Warangesda. As a daughter, mother, and grandmother now Sonia wants to ensure that connections to culture and heritage are held strong and available for future generations.
“Both my grandmother and mother were single-minded that we be proud of our heritage and our culture. My mother studied at university and brought that determination back to her work in schools, building understanding and knowledge with kids and with staff. People stop to talk to Mum in the street now to tell her how important she was to them during their school years, and to thank her for the work that she did to make them feel safe and to listen to them. Her work was outside school too, I can remember visiting elders with Mum with her tape recorder, recording family stories and knowledge.”
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