The dynamic diversity of Quandamooka artist and designer Delvene Cockatoo-Collins’ creative practice is showcased in the Create Exchange: Wearing Country exhibition over multiple Redland Art Gallery venues.
Displaying a deep respect for Country, Cockatoo-Collins transforms conversations and stories shared from her mother, Evelyn Parkin, into made-to-measure garments that reveal the natural beauty of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
Describing the beach at Goompi/Dunwich as a natural art store, Cockatoo-Collins gathers ochre, clay and seeds along the shoreline. Washed up shells are collected and cleaned, and a nearby cotton tree is harvested and used for weaving. These natural resources are then woven into her garments and jewellery. Through printmaking the artist captures the reflections of light on the mangroves and the sunsets on shimmering the water.
The diverse mediums and techniques employed by Cockatoo-Collins culminate into stunning wearable art garments, hence the Wearing Country title, that have been showcased on runways in Brisbane, Melbourne, Cairns and Darwin.
Alongside the survey of garments, the exhibition at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, provides visitors with an insight into the creative process and alludes to the business mindset of juggling arts practice, creativity, supply and demand and operating a retail outlet.
Nearby at Redland Art Gallery, The Mezz at RPAC, Create Exchange: Wearing Country features Cockatoo-Collins’ design commissions, with a focus on her Brisbane Broncos jersey and theatre costumes. Here, visitors can follow the progression of Cockatoo-Collins’ practice, her continued connection to Country and the representation of identity.
This exhibition is part of a three-year project of artist-led exhibitions and activations, collectively titled CREATE EXCHANGE.
CREATE EXCHANGE forms part of the Redland Art Gallery’s life-long learning program of meaningful activations that encourage experimental collaborations.
Accompanying CREATE EXCHANGE: Wearing Country is a series of dynamic programs including a collaborative community engagement, yarning circles and a variety of workshops.
CREATE EXCHANGE is supported by Haymans Electrical and Data Suppliers, Queensland Art Gallery |Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), and Redland City Council | Redland Art Gallery.
RAG, Cleveland
SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2025 –
TUESDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2025
Opening Event:
10am, Sunday 7 September 2025
Panel Talk:
10am, Sunday 21 September 2025
Link to Create Exchange: Wearing Country documentary, 2025
Full Workshop and Event Program
RAG, The Mezz at RPAC, Cleveland
SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2025 –
SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2025
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Mermaid in the Bay from Future History collection, presented by Mob in Fashion at Melbourne Fringe Festival, March 2022. Modelled by Preston Cockatoo-Collins and Xanthe Evans. Photograph by Josh Howlett.