Reclaim the Void: Assemblage

During Assemblage some 3,000 small circular rag rugs will be tied together to form the 'dot' components of a vast artwork. 

You're invited to view this amazing artwork come together while contributing your own weaving to the WA Museum rug. Be a part of bringing this incredible project to life!  

The vision of Reclaim the Void is to create a huge textile ‘dot’ artwork to lay on land affected by mining. The project was born from hearing the grief of Ngalia elders about those ‘gaping mining holes left all over our country’. The artwork is inspired by a painting by a passed Ngalia elder and custodian for the country, DW. The finished piece will express a story of country and will be created from more than 3,000 hand-woven rugs made from discarded fabric by people from all walks of life around Australia and beyond. 

In the words of Ngalia cultural leader Kado Muir, ‘We’re working at a cultural and sacred level, creating a community of people each weaving their stories, contributing to an artwork that makes a statement about reclaiming the spirit of the earth.’

Reclaim the Void sits at the meeting place of land art, contemporary textiles, story and culture. It expresses a shared desire for reconciliation and is the collaborative recognition of country as alive, vulnerable and sacred.

The process of assembly will be completed later this year in situ on Ngalia tjukurrpa parna - sacred country.

Opening | Wednesday 3 July |  5pm 

Come along and enjoy talks by project collaborators: Ngalia cultural leader Kado Muir and project director Vivienne Robertson. 

The event will be opened by the Hon. David Templeman MLA, and the Welcome to Country will be performed by Carol Innes.

This event is free (no registration required). 

Assemblage | Thursday 4 July - Monday 8 July  | Drop-in 9:30am - 4:30pm

Join us to view the assembling of 3000 rugs to create a larger artwork. Each colourful circular rag rug will be tied together to form the dots of a vast piece, which will be completed later this year on Ngalia tjukurrpa parna—sacred country. 

Help us weave rugs to add to the large artwork! Drop in sessions across the day: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm.     

Located in Hackett Hall at WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Concert in the Rugs | Friday 5 July | 7pm 

Enjoy this special concert with musical guests Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, as well as Reclaim the Void's very own Lucy Ridsdale!   

Please visit Concert in the Rugs for ticketing information and further details. 

Volunteer 

If you are interested in volunteering with Reclaim the Void during assemblage, please click here to apply. 

Reclaim the Void is a collaboration between conceptual artist Vivienne Robertson and the Ngalia people, who are represented by the Ngalia Heritage Research Council Aboriginal Corporation and guided by cultural leader Kado Muir. 

Reclaim the Void is supported by Arts Impact WA, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest and thousands of volunteers who have given of their hands and hearts to this visionary project.