Berninneit is pleased to present this exhibition of major new work and select pieces drawing on over twenty years’ practice by accomplished artist Helen S. Tiernan.
Known for her visually stunning works that draw freely from references in art history, the cultural collision of first contact, and keen observations of the natural world, Tiernan grounds her work in storytelling.
‘Timelines’ presents new paintings of whales and sea Country, and chronicles of exploration and evolutionary deep time. Alongside this, the exhibition features some of Tiernan’s breakthrough 'Songlines' paintings from 2004, which depicted her research into life for Aboriginal women and children in the Lake Tyres Mission.
Born in Gippsland, Helen S. Tiernan is an artist of Aboriginal and Irish heritage, now living in Fish Creek. She studied visual art at the Australian National University Canberra School of Art, graduating with honours in 2001.
She was awarded the Aboriginal Artist of the Year, Canberra & District NAIDOC Award in 2004. Tiernan has exhibited throughout Australia and internationally, and her work is in numerous private and public collections, including the National Maritime Museum, Parliament House, Canberra, and the National Museum of Australia. Her work is represented by Lauraine Diggins Fine Art.
Image: Helen Tiernan, Cetacean Humpback Connecting, 2025.
Berninneit Art Gallery
91-97 Thompson Avenue
Cowes, Phillip Island
Victoria, 3922
T: (03) 5671 2211
W: basscoastculturalvenues.com/our-venues/berninneit-art-gallery
E: cultural.venues@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:30am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Admission is free
The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly organisation that celebrates diversity. We are committed to providing safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive services for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
