Kelli Cole, is a Warumungu and Luritja woman from Central Australia, spent 17 years working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Department at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. She has curated numerous exhibitions and her work has been featured in prominent First Nations journals.
Kelli will discuss the intensive and immersive process of curating exhibitions while onCountry, including the concept of returning to Country to curate exhibitions. An example is the recent Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition, which she co-curated with her friend and colleague Hetti Perkins, an Arrernte and Kalkadoon from Central Australia.
Her curatorial practice is embedded in the importance of deep research and deep and respectful relationships. She encourages educators to seek out First Nations authors and curators when looking for written work around First Nations artists and artworks.
Her curatorial intent is informed by community collaboration, not just consultation.