I was born Karleen Green in Brisbane, even though my family lived at Fingal on the Tweed River in Bundjalung country, northern NSW. I sit in the middle of 10 children to my mother Ruth Green (nee Curry) who is now 91 years of age from Beaudesert in Queensland and my father Michael Green from Coolangatta.
I grew up at Fingal Head where, as children, our lives were free and easy. Our front yard was our river, and our backyard was our beach where we went fishing, camping and swimming. I remember we protested against the mining company who wanted to dredge out beautiful beaches at Kerosene Bay and take the sand to build up Gold Coast beaches. Our story about the protest made it to the ABC program Four Corners. We were so proud of our efforts.
When I was 18 years old, I travelled to Sydney to seek employment. My first job was at the NSW State Library where I was able to do inter-library loans. I was able to develop my skills in research which I loved because this allowed me to research my family history as well as my Aboriginal culture.
In 1994 I moved to Darwin and enrolled in a four-year textile course at Nungalinya Combined Churches Training College. This is where my passion for weaving and textiles developed. I focused on basket weaving which included dyes, screen and silk printing.
Students’ work was supplied to major airports in Australia allowing us to buy more art products and to provide the education of Aboriginal culture through artistry and textiles to the international visitors.
Currently my role is a community educator and traditional weaver. I run workshops and teaching at places such as the Sydney Opera House, the Australian Museum, NSW Art Gallery, Barangaroo and the Black Markets at Circular Quay, and Bare Island. I was also an artist in residence at Carriageworks in Eveleigh.
I volunteer at a women’s shelter in Sydney. Weaving was Aboriginal women’s business so what a wonderful way for people to journey with me to connect with their culture and a healing process. Particularly since it allows them to talk and share their knowledge and experiences.
I love what I do. I love working with and teaching other women about the art of weaving and for them to share my journey of cultural knowledge, experience and healing.
Follow @karleencgreen
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This article is part of a series by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living and working on Gadigal land. The series, a joint project of the SSH and the City of Sydney, is curated by Aunty Norma Ingram.
