Exhibitions

NOTE: This exhibition is showing at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre, for visiting information, visit: https://www.qvwc.org.au/

We Sit in Circle showcases powerful paintings and intricate weavings by First Peoples

women with lived experience of incarceration. They are mothers, aunties, grandmothers, daughters, and sisters.

For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have used symbols as a visual language to pass down stories, preserve cultural knowledge and express spiritual beliefs. While their meanings vary across different language groups, many messages are shared. One such symbol is the circle, which represents a meeting or resting place. It reflects how we come together – sitting in circles, yarning (talking), and sharing. Lines extending from the circle signify journey paths, showing movement to and from that place of connection.

Curated to reflect the circle and a resting place, We Sit in Circle positions works by artists in the community near the entrance and exists of the gallery space, while those positioned in the centre are by artists currently in prison. This design reflects the position of each artists’ journey – with those in the centre regrouping, reconnecting and resting until they in time, join the community and continue on their own paths after release.

All artworks are available to purchase in the gallery or online and 100% of the artwork price goes directly to the artist. For sales enquiries, please email sales@thetorch.org.au.

We Sit in Circle is curated by Flick Chafer-Smith, Ngarrindjeri artist and First Peoples Arts Mentor at The Torch.

This exhibition is presented as part of NAIDOC Week. QVWC is delighted to be celebrating NAIDOC Week with The Torch and to have an opportunity to support this exciting new exhibition in its Birnbeal gallery, a space designed to support emerging women and gender diverse artists.

Image: Kim A, Future Journey, 2026, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 cm.