Tides of Return 2026

Anindilyakwa Arts and Anindilyakwa Media travelled to Venice for the opening of Tides of Return at Ocean Space in March. Both programs have been working with Repatriates Collective for the past two years to develop the exhibition, exploring the themes of repatriation, cultural revitalisation, and connection to the ocean. Doll Shell (Dadikwakwa-kwa) making was reawakened by Warnindilyakwa women following the return of ancestral doll shells from Manchester Museum in 2023. The dolls carry the stories of identity, kinship, and are considered alive by the women who create and care for them.

The installation features over 2,500 doll shells placed across rolling sand dunes, inspired by Danjibana’s mother’s Country. The Media program worked with Danjibana and the Golden Ladies of Umbakumba - Sue Bara, Rita Bara, Elsie Bara and Maureen Bara to record stories, which was turned into a short film played on loop within the exhibition. The stories were filmed in language using the doll shells which is valuable cultural knowledge for the archives and future generations.

As part of the opening program, Danjibana Lalara and Annabell Amagula spoke at the press conference, performed a smoking ceremony, and delivered a doll shell workshop as well as speaking to the public about the exhibition, and making sure cultural protocols were followed.

“I was happy and proud when I saw the dadikwakwa-kwa – I started crying, they are a long way away now. Venice was eningaba, it was cold,  it was good people, sharing our culture with the people, enjoying ourselves, going everywhere.  I was proud seeing all the different artists” - Annabell Amagula

 “It was a nice trip, when I got there, I got a surprise, I got emotional, it was a journey for me to explore Venice and other cultures. I am so proud of the doll shells, they are away from home, it is good for Anindilyakwa people to show other people and other countries about what happens back on our Eylandt. Venice was eningaba I think it was good country, but it was too cold for me, it was different, everything is travelling by boat, I got a surprise” - Danjibana Lalara

We are proud. First when the doll shells went over to Italy we was sad because they left us behind, they flew over to another country we see them as our children. When we see them on the sand dune, we are happy because they are all together, all the doll shells - the Golden Ladies

Tides of Return will be on display at Ocean Space March  - October 2026.