Join us at the Queensland State Archives for a special artist talk with Melissa Stannard, the artist behind the exhibition Winagaylay Ngiyani Ganunga: We Will Remember Them. A proud Yuwaalaraay, Gamillaraay and Koama woman, Melissa draws upon family histories, oral testimony, and archival research to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in the military.
This moving body of work confronts the silences in official records and affirms the enduring strength, resilience, and sovereignty of First Nations communities. In this intimate talk, Melissa will reflect on her creative and cultural process, offering rare insights into the personal and historical layers within her work.
Melissa Stannard is a multidisciplinary artist, poet, jeweller, and curator whose practice centres on truth-telling, healing, and the power of storytelling. Deeply connected to her culture and country, she explores themes of identity, trauma, survival, and belonging—amplifying Indigenous voices and inspiring community dialogue.
This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artist within the exhibition space.
Bookings essential.
Image: Detail view of ngarrangarrali giigal (mind look after – scab) by Melissa Stannard, one of the pieces from Winagaylay Ngiyani Ganunga — We Will Remember Them
