Empowering Voices: The First Nations Artists’ Exchange at Abbotsleigh
In a powerful celebration of culture, creativity, and connection, Abbotsleigh is celebrating its inaugural First Nations Artists’ Exchange, a year-long initiative designed to foster mentorship and artistic collaboration between First Nations students and leading First Nations artists.
Rooted in the rich traditions of storytelling and visual expression, the program offers a transformative space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls to explore identity, share their voices, and build community through art.
The inaugural year of the program saw a dynamic partnership with emerging contemporary artist Tiarna Herczeg, a Kuku Yalanji/Kuku Nyungkul Warra woman with Hungarian heritage, living on Gadigal land. Weaving inspiration from these diverse landscapes, her artistic practice is deeply personal and intuitive. She paints without preconceived notions, guided instead by feeling and ancestral memory. Tiarna’s collaboration with Abbotsleigh’s Indigenous students has been mutually inspiring and impactful for both the artist and the students, creating meaningful opportunities for dialogue and creative exchange. The students’ chance to collaborate with a young Indigenous female artist is a powerful moment of representation and inspiration. It allows students to see themselves reflected in a creative and professional space, affirming that their voices and stories are valued. Through shared cultural experiences and artistic methods, the students were not only empowered to express their identities but also encouraged to envision the possibilities of their own futures. The connection fosters confidence, ambition, and a deeper sense of belonging, showing that their heritage is not only something to honour—but also a foundation for growth, leadership, and creative success.
The initiative began with a design project for the 2025 First Nations Round sports jersey, a symbol of pride and representation within the school community. In a workshop led by Herczeg, students brainstormed and sketched imagery that reflected their personal journeys—from distant communities to the shared experience of boarding life at Abbotsleigh. Themes such as travel, sisterhood, and the natural environment, including the iconic Blue Gum trees on campus, were woven into the design. Herczeg then refined these ideas into a final jersey that honours both individual stories and collective identity. Designed as an artwork and then applied to fabric in a range of styles, the students voice played an important role in the final selection of placement and colour. On the 22 May 2025, Abbotsleigh’s First football team wore the jerseys during the Pymble Ladies’ College First Nations Round of Sport. The striking design represented the energy of the initiative and was worn proudly by the Abbotsleigh sportswomen.
Along the journey, students were invited to create T-shirt designs for a fundraising initiative, allowing them to express similar themes through their own artistic styles. This reciprocal exchange not only nurtured creativity but also empowered students to take ownership of their cultural narratives. The exchange has also spotlighted the talents of Abbotsleigh students Amaya Sloane-Wood (Year 8 2024) and Chloe Nicholls (Year 12 2024), whose paintings—Connections and Threads of Sisterhood—capture the essence of community and cultural pride. Their works depict Abbotsleigh as a meeting place where students from diverse backgrounds converge, support one another, and celebrate shared experiences. These paintings became the foundation for the NAIDOC Week T-shirt fundraiser, led by Demi Green and Lexie Wilson (Year 10 2024). Held on Friday 25 October, the fundraiser invited students and staff to wear the T-shirts in allyship, with proceeds supporting future Pay It Forward Yalari scholarships. Accompanied by a BBQ and bake sale, the event was a vibrant celebration of unity and student agency. The T-shirts, more than just fashion items, became symbols of cultural pride and storytelling—each design carrying the voices and experiences of the young artists.
A highlight of the program was the students’ visit to Herczeg’s solo exhibition, Through Coloured Glass, at Curatorial+Co. in Woolloomooloo. Welcomed with a private preview and behind-the-scenes tour, the students engaged with gallery curator Claire Field and explored works by other Indigenous artists. The experience encouraged reflection on the importance of storytelling and voice in art, and how personal perspectives shape creative expression. Herczeg’s artist talk offered insight into her journey as a young Indigenous woman navigating identity and belonging, resonating deeply with the students.
Throughout the year, the First Nations Artists’ Exchange has demonstrated the power of art to connect, heal, and inspire. It has provided a platform for students to explore their heritage, express their identities, and contribute meaningfully to the school’s cultural life. The initiative also reflects Abbotsleigh’s commitment to fostering inclusive and respectful spaces where Indigenous voices are heard, valued, and celebrated.
Looking ahead, the program aims to deepen these relationships and expand opportunities for creative collaboration in its second year and beyond. The program has drawn to light the power of mentorship, and the First Nations Artists’ Exchange will continue to build a legacy for First Nations students, as they contribute to and shape the present and future cultural profile of Abbotsleigh.
