Sevenmarks Gallery is hosting a significant exhibition titled Guyurrmirr dhimurru-makarr djalatha gapu bur'nap monuk lik (Going to the Southeast Saltwater), a collaboration with artists from Ramingining, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

The exhibition runs until 11 October and is the second collaboration between Sevenmarks and Bula’Bula Arts, building off of last year's successful showcase. This year the exhibition is shifting from weaving to traditional and contemporary painted stories and new works by emerging Yolŋu artists from Bula’Bula Arts.

One of the Sevenmarks directors, Cobi Cockburn, explains that what makes this exhibition special is the cultural exchange it facilitates. There will be three artists coming over from Arnhem Land as well as the Bula’bula Arts Manager, Mel George, where they will be ‘sharing culture across saltwater and land’.

“It's my understanding that two of those people have never even left Arnhem Land," she said.

“The works that we have here within the gallery are very indicative of their landscape and their environment.”

The gallery has organised an extensive programme of free community events, including workshops for local primary schools, an opening event, a public talk about life in Arnhem Land, and a public hands on workshop.

“We wanted to remove finances out of it...from an exchange of knowledge and an exchange of communication and cultural awareness, we really tried hard to make that free for Kiama,” Cobi said.

Cobi explains how the exhibition will address a gap in Kiama’s cultural offerings, having raised four children, she stresses the importance of cultural engagement and communication at an early age.

“We don't have many offerings, we don't have a cinema…so with arts and culture in here, I kind of go, how can we engage the younger crowd? And how can we also show them about First Nations people,” she said.

“If we don't bring those storytellings in and those experiences in, and we don't integrate them at an early level, then I think it probably remains a separate entity. And I'd love it to not be a separate entity.”

The exhibition's opening event is being held Saturday 13 September from 5pm-7pm, featuring a Welcome to Country by Gumaraa, artworks by the visiting artists and the artists themselves, and Silica is providing canapés alongside local beers and wines.

A public talk ‘Life in Arnhem Land’, with Bula'Bula Arts Manager Mel George is being held on Sunday 14 September from 11am-12pm, followed by a hands-on public workshop on Tuesday 16 September from 2pm-3:30pm.

More information and tickets for the events can be found on Sevenmarks Gallery website.

SEVENMARKS Gallery is open to the public each Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm, or by appointment. Exhibition entry is free.