The region's premier Aboriginal art award and contemporary cultural objects exhibition opened at the  Glasshouse in Port Macquarie on 24th May 2019.

Gumbaynggirr artist YOWA was announced as this years art award winner by Aboriginal independent curator, Amanda Hayman from Blaklash Projects. YOWA was awarded $5,000 for her work 'Matriarchs' .

“The winning artwork was bright and colourful with a very unique aesthetic, almost surreal, it felt like you were taken into a dream. The focal point of the artwork shows four elderly Aboriginal women on pedestals, with coastal country in the background and an iridescent sunset. The artwork reflects the current global paradigm shift in gender equality and also significant social and political push for recognition of female leadership. Pedestals are a western construct of power where white males have been predominately placed. It comes at a time where Australia is in the process of spending $3 Million on a new monument of Captain Cook in Botany Bay. I love how the artist reversed the norm and positioned black women on pedestals as a demonstration of their authority and importance within our families and community. This is a perfect example of sharing Indigenous perspectives through art.”

The exhibition is touring to the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery, Manning Regional Gallery and finishing on Aboriginal owned land at Wadjar Regional Indigenous Gallery.