Possum Skin Storytelling at QVMAG

VickiWest-workshop.jpg

Image: possum skin storytelling workshop at QVMAG. 

Possum skin cloaks are a continuing tradition to many Aboriginal families and are often inscribed with personal and family stories.

In 2021, QVMAG Aboriginal Learning Facilitator Vicki West taught community members how to pyrograph their stories onto diamond-shaped possum patches, before sewing them into a small cloak.

This year in the lead up to NAIDOC Week, QVMAG has held a series of Possum Skin Storytelling workshops with Vicki, inviting the community to add their own story to the communal cloak.

After the final workshop, taking place on Monday June 12 at the Museum at Inveresk, community members are invited to work with Vicki as the cloak is stitched together in preparation for display at QVMAG’s NAIDOC Week morning tea on Saturday 1 July.

Upcoming workshop dates include:

  • Possum Skin Storytelling: Monday 12 June, 10:30am to 12.30pm, Museum at Inveresk. Ticketed event, registrations via QVMAG Eventbrite page.

  • Stitching all together: Saturday 17 June, 10:30am-12:30pm, Museum at Inveresk. Free event, registrations via QVMAG Eventbrite page.

NAIDOC Week community morning tea: •

  • Saturday 1 July 10:30-12, Museum at Inveresk. Free entry, RVSP essential via the QVMAG Eventbrite page.

For more information on this NAIDOC Week event series, visit www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Events

Possum skin cloak making with Vicki West at QVMAG

Image: Possum skin cloak making at QVMAG with artist Vicki West.