Jessika Spencer
Jessika Spencer is a First Nations weaver, photographer, writer, and activist. A Wiradjuri woman from the Sandhills of Narrandera, Jessika now lives and creates art on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra).
Waterways hold special significance for Jessika and inspire her artistic and weaving practice. She was raised alongside the Murrumbidgee River by her grandmother, Elder and matriarch Beryl Simpson, who taught her to weave.
As part of the residency, Jessika created a large woven work depicting the three rivers of Wiradjuri Country and their interconnection with Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country. It is a woven map that captures not only the waterways, but also the surrounding elements: the symbolism that runs alongside the rivers, the boundary markers, and the sacred sites.
Using both contemporary and traditional weaving techniques, Jessika hand-dyed the fibres used in the artwork. With a focus on sustainability and cultural heritage, she chose a natural colour palette—reflecting the tones commonly found in maps and on Country.
“Throughout the research, planning, and making of this piece, I explored Indigenous perspectives of water, and what my connection and understanding of it was," said Jessika. "It’s not only a physical element, but a carrier of story, life, and cultural continuity. These meanings were woven into the fabric of the work.”
During her time with the Institute, Jessika also led a series of weaving workshops at ANU and on Country, where researchers and students learned basic techniques and explored the deep connections between this art form, culture, and Country.
This residency gave me the opportunity to completely slow down, be on country and
take my time creating. It's been healing to do.
I'm a Wiradjuri woman with deep linkages to waterways and river systems, and I knew I wanted this residency to reflect that. For this project I had envisioned the largest, and most intricate art piece I have ever made before, and they both encouraged and stood by me. The recent growth in my career and arts practise is purely down to this residency, and the support I was shown by them.
The culturally safe space they held for me, and other mob, is rare. They are genuine allies, and I'm thankful to have been able to connect and learn from them.
I can’t recommend this residency to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists enough. It's a life changing experience.
