Bianca Templar is a proud Palawa woman, artist, and advocate for First Nations rights. As the owner of Takamuna rrala Designs (Stand Strong Designs), Bianca’s work is a testament to her strength, resilience, and her deep cultural connection. Living with disability, Bianca uses her art and advocacy work to empower others and while bringing awareness to issues facing First Nations communities.
From a young age, Bianca was inspired by her Nan and elder, Aunty Gloria Templar, who taught her the traditional practice of stringing rice shells, toothies, and black crows into beautiful necklaces.
I wanted to learn more and know more about it, and so I got set on a little journey with my Nan, where she taught me more about why we did these cultural things, why we made baskets, what the kelp was used for, why shell necklaces were significant.Bianca Templar
Over the years, Bianca has expanded her knowledge of cultural practices, learning the art of shell stringing, basket weaving, and making kelp water carriers. She also embraces contemporary techniques, incorporating Tasmanian Aboriginal petroglyph designs into her artwork.
Alongside Bianca's creativity, she is also an advocate for her community. Through her art, activism and social work, Bianca continues to inspire and uplift those around her.
My disability has really influenced my work in terms of ensuring that when I'm talking to people, regardless of what their circumstances are, that I'm making sure that they know that they have every right to speak their mind, to stand their ground. They know their story better than anyone else.
The Speak My Language (Disability) program is an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Government under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Framework. It is proudly led by ECCNSW and the primary national Partners are ECCV, ECCQ, MCCSA, MCNT, MCOT, ECCWA, and our national broadcasting Partners SBS.
Podcast Tile Artwork: Paul Constable Calcott
