New creative leads for YIRRAMBOI Sherene Stewart (Taungurung/Filipino) and J-Maine Beezley (Wakka Wakka) joined Vanessa Morris for a yarn about their appointments, experience with the festival over the last five years, and work ahead for the festival set for 4-14 May 2023.

In discussing the first steps of their roles as a creative leads duo and in forming a team of First Nations advisors, producers and curators to work towards the 2023 iteration of YIRRAMBOI, Sherene explains:

“In our decision to working in these roles, we really wanted to push black ways of working, so from a collective point, within the team.. it was really a decision from J-Maine and I to do this role together, and community knows us as Sh-Maine..”

“Within the first month we put our heads together and said what’s the best way to support the First Nations creative sector, and speaking to our mentors and our community, we thought the best way to do that is bring on an advisory group - so we’re incredibly excited to announce that in the next couple of weeks.”

In discussing predecessors in YIRRAMBOI's creative space, J-Maine explains:

“To be guided by the existing creative directors too - Caroline Martin and Jacob Boehme - just extraordinary people and this opportunity is such a blessing, we feel that we are ready to take on this space, it’s new ground for us but we are ready [..] to help community to support us too, its really incredible”

YIRRAMBOI platforms the interconnectedness and diversity of First Nations creatives, with a ten-day program spanning the breadth of artistic expressions with a collective voice of resilience.

YIRRAMBOI’s next iteration is from 4-14 May 2023

Follow YIRRAMBOI’s Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with future announcements and updates over the coming months.

Listen to the full interview below.