Kurdinthi: National First Nations Weaving Symposium

Kurdinthi, a landmark national symposium dedicated to the art and practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander weaving, will be presented in Tarntanya, Adelaide by JamFactory and Ku Arts with support from Creative Australia from 5–7 September 2025.

Over three days, the event will bring together leading weavers from across the country for a program of gathering, connection, cultural exchange and conversation.

The event includes a dedicated day for weavers as well as a series of public programs across Adelaide’s West End, including a symposium, interactive workshops and film screenings.

The symposium celebrates rich and diverse weaving traditions and explores topics including the impact of climate change, innovation in material use, and the reimagining of weaving for public art and the body. Speakers include Carly Tarkari Dodd, Hannah Presley, Robert Wuldi, Cedric Varcoe, Lisa Waup, Cecilie Djalarrnami and Margaret Gamuti.

Hands on workshops will be held across the weekend by renowned artists including Aunty Ellen Trevorrow and Jelina Haines, Jenna Lee, Cassie Leatham, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Bula’bula Arts and Sharyn Egan.

As part of the event visitors will experience JamFactory’s exhibitions Aunty Ellen Trevorrow: Weaving Through Time and Robert Wuldi: Weaving the Machine as well as the National First Nations Weaving Salon Exhibition at Light Square Gallery, presented by Ku Arts.

It is also an opportunity for visitors to shop an extensive range of woven works from artists across Australia, including Maningrida Arts & Culture, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Emma Stenhouse, Bula’bula Arts and Grace Lillian Lee, at the Kurdinthi Marketplace located at JamFactory.