Weaving Waters | Mandji the Murray Cod
Tuggeranong Arts Centre in collaboration with the Fibre Basket Makers of the ACT
5 July – 13 December 2026
Location | Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North, Greenway ACT 2900
Entry | Some paid + some free events
Access | Wheelchair accessible, accessible parking, accessible bathroom, off street parking, assistance animals welcome
Dissent, characterised as objection, is expressed through Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s protest artwork modelled on the Murray Cod, a theme that aims to interrogate the species' decline due to the introduction of feral fish taxa and damaging environmental changes. The Murray Cod, a species of great significance to First Nations Peoples, is listed as a threatened and vulnerable species under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
This project is an opportunity to shed light on the issue and to educate participants by sharing First Nations stories and promote environmental conservation strategies such as fishing restrictions, improved water quality, habitat restoration, fish translocation and stocking programs.
The project will use natural fibres for the community collaborative making of a woven cover for the sculpture's metal armature. Participants will learn time honoured weave techniques along with principles for collecting and preparing natural materials that honour and protect the environment's long-term sustainability. The project aims to foster deeper connection with the natural world, while sharing meditative making practices for improved wellbeing and overall mental health.
Tuggeranong Arts Centre’s public art program Weaving Waters: Mandji the Murray Cod invites the community to participate in the making of a giant Murray Cod sculpture through hand weaving, learn about the Murray Cod through a program of speakers, and help our local Murray Cod at a family friendly community fishing day and Carp off.
TAC’s artist vision, in conjunction with sculptural design by Steven Holland and the extraordinary engineering achievements of MAG Welding Services – has resulted in the creation of our 4-metre-long steel Murray Cod. And now, Mandji is ready to come to life. Sign up for a 6-week course, drop-in for fortnightly weaving sessions and then join us for the official launch of our lakeside sculpture at the 2026 Craft + Design Festival in November.
8 AUGUST – 12 SEPTEMBER | SIX WEEK WEAVING COURSE | SATURDAYS, 2PM – 4PM | $150
26 SEPTEMBER | GROUP STITCHING ACTIVITY AT GRAND DAY OUT | SATURDAY , 11AM – 1PM | FREE
7 NOVEMBER | COMMUNITY FISHING DAY AND CARP OFF | SATURDAY, 9AM – NOON | FREE
7 NOVEMBER | OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF MANDJI | SATURDAY, 11AM | FREE
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Opened in 1998, Tuggeranong Arts Centre (TAC) is staffed by arts professionals with direction from CEO Caroline Downer OAM and support from a voluntary board. The Tuggeranong Community Arts Association manages the building and facilities, including three purpose-built galleries, a 100 seat theatre, and classrooms and event spaces where a range of multi-artform community engagement programs and events are presented.
SEE WEBSITE HERE -
TAC collaborators, the Fibre Basket Makers of the ACT are a special interest group founded in the 1980s by Shirley Lewis after she delivered basketmaking courses at Canberra Institute of Technology. The group has been meeting for more than 20 years on the second Saturday of each month at the Downer Community Centre. The group is affiliated with basket making groups in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Members share their techniques, experience and materials. Prominent members include Ann McMahon, Lisa Stevenson and Dr. Christian Keller among others.
SEE WEBSITE HERE -
Ann McMahon graduated with first class honours from the Textile Workshop at the Institute of the Arts (now School of Arts, ANU) in 2000. She completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Heritage Management at the University of Canberra in 2003. Her career in the arts in Canberra has included positions as: Gallery Development Officer at Australian National Capital Artists, ACT Arts Ability Officer, Public Art team member at artsACT and most recently, in Public Programs with Belconnen Arts Centre. Ann is a practising visual artist with a love of textiles going back to childhood. Her artwork typically expresses herself through its materiality and formal qualities ranging in scale from small wearables to utilitarian baskets through to large outdoor sculptures.
Proudly supported by Tuggeranong Arts Centre and ACT Government City of Design funding
Images
Mandji, The Murray Cod | Photo by Martin Ollman
Basket samples by Ann McMahon and Lisa Stevenson 2023 | Photo by Ann McMahon
Fibre Basket Makers of the ACT Harvesting Day 2018 | Photo courtesy of Fibre Basket Makers of the ACT