Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose

The all-new Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose exhibition invites audiences to connect with the world’s oldest living cultures through the vibrant and statement-making designs of First Nations artists and communities at Museum of Brisbane until October 5, 2026.

Curated in collaboration with proudly Aboriginal owned and led sustainable fashion label, Magpie Goose, Stories You Wear embraces fashion as a canvas for storytelling. Led by owners Amanda Hayman (Wakka Wakka and Kalkadoon) and Troy Casey (Kamilaroi), Magpie Goose stitches style and culture together to create positive impacts for artists from 13 regional and remote communities in Qld, the NT and WA. 

The exhibition will feature First Nations creatives from across the country, with a particular focus on collaborations with the South-East Queensland communities, Jinibara and Quandamooka, including senior artists Sonja Carmichael and Belinda Close.

Sonja Carmichael draws inspiration from traditional Quandamooka weaving, using found materials and contemporary techniques to incorporate both environmental and cultural preservation into her craft.

Belinda Close is a long-time practising artist and a highly respected community member. For this collection, she collaborated with her daughter, Mahala Burns, to create an intergenerational artwork exploring the importance of the Bungwal fern.

Coupled with artworks and design materials, co-curator Amanda Hayman said the exhibition invites audiences to connect with the diverse and distinct cultural stories of First Nations artists and discover the sustainable processes of the Magpie Goose brand.

Good to know – this exhibition is suitable for all ages. To find out about access at the Museum, click here.

This exhibition is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Museum of Brisbane is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com

Image credits 
1. Jayzena, Samara Billy and Lyndell wearing Samara Billy’s Rongngyi (Bush Lillies), Jones Billy’s Garrjala (Nail Fish), and Naomi Wilfred and Rocklan Hodgson’s Aboriginal Bush Tools designs. Photo: Helen Orr.
2. Jones Billy and Dudley Forbes wearing Samuel Daylight’s Darbalun (Goanna) and Dudley Forbes’ Dakawa’ (crayfish) designs. Photo: Helen Orr.
3. Esmeralda Philmax wearing Graham Badari's Lambalk Kangun Mannguy (Sugar Glider Eating Flowers) and Jock Puautjimi's Burial Sites designs. Photo: Kate Harding.
4. Molly Rex, Jordan Unghango, Trinita Bundamurra and Zerika Clement wearing Leoni Melpi’s Waves, Graham Badari’s Nabarlek deja Ngarrbek (Rock Wallaby and Echidna), Reuben Manakgu’s Wakih (Fresh Water Prawns), Bede Tungatalum’s Tiwi Birds, Kodjdjan D Diaguma’s Murnubbarra Karrolka (Flying Magpie Geese) and Elizabeth Kandabuma’s Kun-ngol (Clouds) designs. Photo: Freedom Garvey-Warr and Kalumburu Photography Collective, Enterprise Partnerships.
5. Lornie Djana wearing Mitjili Napurrula’s Watiya Tjuta design. Photo: Christian Koch. Courtesy Ikuntji Artists.