Curated By Kyra Kum-Sing
Boomalli is proud to present “I am Gurgun” a major retrospective of renowned Bundjalung artist Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft AM, curated by Kyra Kum-Sing.
Spanning over five decades of Bancroft’s career, this powerful and visually captivating exhibition will open on Friday 24th October 2025 and continue until Saturday 31st January 2026.
“I am Gurgun” invites audiences to experience the evolution of Bancroft’s visionary career – from wearable art on the world stage to awe inspiring paintings documenting her family’s resilience and survival.
“Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft’s art is a testament to resilience, culture, pride, and the power to create her songline. Her creative brushstrokes bridge generations of young and old to express a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture, Country and most importantly family and community. Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft has been and remains a strong advocate, mentor, and activist through her creative voice.”
Tracey L. Bostock, Boomalli member, long-time friend, and daughter of the late Euphemia Bostock
Gurgun translates to Kookaburra in Bundjalung language, and is Bancroft’s personal totem. The title speaks to Bancroft’s resilience and strength as a Bundjalung woman.
Bronwyn is deeply connected to her culture and her community, and has always striven to heighten respect and awareness for the first colonised people in NSW.
“My Art has been a continuous love letter to my Elders and Ancestors acknowledging all they had to endure just to survive.”
Bronwyn Bancroft AM
Bancroft started the first Aboriginal fashion design shop ‘Designer Aboriginals’ in Sydney in 1985.
Bancroft was one of the first Australian designers to showcase their work in Paris in 1987 alongside Euphemia Bostock (1936-2024) and Mini Heath as part of the ‘Australis Down Under’ fashion show at the Au Printemps Department Store.
Bancroft’s collection from the Paris runway will be presented in this exhibition including the dramatic Opera Cape, acquired by the Powerhouse Museum in 1994.
The exhibition will include politically charged works from the land rights era to Bancroft’s brilliant paintings and award-winning illustrations that have shaped generations of First Nations storytelling (her books have sold over 1 million copies worldwide).
“I’ve always loved seeing Bronwyn’s work which always makes me feel safe when going into unfamiliar places. I want this exhibition to be an insight into who Bronwyn is, by highlighting her beautiful works from the last five decades. Bronwyn is a kind hearted and caring family person, who has mentored myself and many other Aboriginal artists in understanding the art and cultural sector. Bronwyn is a key part of Boomalli today, and also one of the ten founding members of this Co-operative.”
Kyra Kum-Sing, Boomalli Curator
Bancroft’s retrospective offers a rich and immersive journey through the artist’s visual language and creative expression – one deeply rooted in her Bundjalung identity, fierce activism, motherhood, and her intergenerational resilience that brings her unique perspective as an Aboriginal woman from Northern NSW for the world to see.
The exhibition will feature key loans from the Art Gallery of NSW, National Gallery of Australia, Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Artbank, Macquarie University, as well as private collections.
Bancroft is one of ten Founding Members of Boomalli, established in 1987. Bancroft’s work and dedication as a volunteer saved Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative from closure on several occasions, the most recent in 2009.
The fact that Boomalli is still going strong today (we will celebrate 38 years of existence in November) is thanks to Bancroft’s countless hours of volunteering and expertise, and sheer determination in the face of extreme adversity.
Bancroft has been commissioned for many public artworks including Time Travellers at Central Station (2024), Chasing Dreams Tunnel for VIVID Sydney (2025), Queen Victoria Building Christmas Tree (2022-2025), United we Stand, Divided we Fail Hugo St Redfern Mural (2006), Royal North Shore Atrium Lift Shaft (2012) and a large-scale mural ‘Gift Given’ at Tempe Reserve (2006).
Bancroft has written and illustrated over 50 children’s books since 1992.
Bancroft was awarded the inaugural NSW Aboriginal Creative Fellowship, which she completed in 2021.
The body of work Bancroft produced as part of the Fellowship is currently being exhibited at the State Library of NSW in a major exhibition, “The Country Cries for Truth”.
In 2025 Bancroft collaborated with Chas Clarkson and emerging singer RIAH for the 2025 VIVID Festival. The activation located at Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD was inspired by Bancroft’s personal experiences and dreams, weaving together new and existing works.
Bancroft is an activist who has agitated for Aboriginal people in the fields of copyright and ICIP, and has held many positions on the Boards of National Indigenous Arts and Advocacy Association (NIAAA), Australian Society of Authors, Arts Law, and Copyright Agency. Bronwyn served on the Board of the National Gallery of Australia from 1992-1997 and the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Artists Advisory Board from 2005-2007.
Bancroft is currently the Chair of the Returning, Chair of the First Nations Arts and Culture Advisory Board for Create NSW, Board Member of the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) and Senior Strategist at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, and is continually mentoring as an Elder and Senior Artist.
Bancroft is passionate about change and has dedicated her life’s work to making that change.
RSVP here: https://events.humanitix.com/i-am-gurgun