Noongar artist and curator Zali Morgan from Boorloo, Perth, brings critical insight into colonial narratives through her work “Australia by the Book,” using steel plate etching and chin collé to cast light on the First Nations’ overshadowed histories. As a Guest Curator at John Curtin Gallery, she leads the “N’yet’tin-ngal Wagur – Yeye Wongie” exhibition, showcasing Noongar artists’ reactions to the Carrolup collection, while also contributing as Assistant Curator at AGWA and steering projects like 2023 NAIDOC’s “For Our Elders.” With a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Curtin University and a Certificate IV in Visual Art, alongside her experience at Wesfarmers Arts, Zali’s blend of artistic talent and curatorial acumen makes her a pivotal figure in championing a richer, more inclusive narrative of Australia’s heritage

Richard Read is Emeritus Professor and Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, Perth. He wrote the first book on the psychoanalytic art critic Adrian Stokes and published extensively on the relationship between literature and the visual arts, and complex images in global contexts. Recent books include Colonization, Wilderness and Other Spaces co-edited with Kenneth Haltman (Terra Foundation for American Art, 2020; Yale E-Portal 2022) and Sensory Perception, History and Geology: the Afterlife of Molyneux’s Question in Nineteenth-century Landscape Painting and Cultural Thought (Cambridge University Press, 2023). He is currently working on a book concerning The Reversed Painting in Western Art and papers on ‘The Impact of Colonialism on Western Art-Craft Distinctions.’

Marcia Leonard is a dedicated Artistic Program Manager with a rich background in art curation, art direction, and education. Holding a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma in Visual Arts from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University, and a Diploma of Education Art Specialist from Monash University, her academic achievements lay a solid foundation for her professional expertise. Marcia’s role at the Cannery Arts Centre sees her deeply involved in curating exhibitions, developing arts programming, and managing fundraising events, highlighting her commitment to fostering community engagement through diverse artistic expressions. She also serves as a regional curator mentor for the John Curtin Gallery Open Borders Regional Triennial, where she contributes to contemporary art discourse. Furthermore, Marcia has a notable history as a Visual Arts, Multimedia, and Design Teacher at Esperance Anglican Community School, demonstrating her ability to deliver curriculum-related activities across various art disciplines. Her involvement in the Artful Leadership for Community Building Program and her position on the GalleriesWest board underscore her dedication to advancing the art community. Fluent in English and Greek, Marcia’s global perspective enriches her professional and creative endeavors.

Brett Lewis, is a representative from the GABC Board. In addition to this role, Brett is the Chairperson of the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation, Director at Bundarra Contracting and Director of the Ngumbu Aboriginal Corporation. Brett is deeply invested in Aboriginal advocacy and economic development.