The Kidman highway

Tarli is a proud Yorta Yorta and Moiraban woman with Wiradjuri connections through her paternal grandmother. Born and raised in Shepparton, she is a proud mother of two and deeply passionate about family, culture, art, and community.

Her art practice spans ceramics and painting, often depicting Country, family, community, and memories drawn from her lived experiences. Whether shaping clay or working on canvas, Tarli’s works are grounded in cultural storytelling and her deep connections to place and kin.

Tarli’s love for learning and cultural knowledge was sparked at a young age through watching her mum and listening closely to local Elders. She began her journey with Kaiela Arts in 2021 as an artist for the annual Turtle Muster and has since taken on a range of roles across the art centre, including working front of house, supporting artist programs in the studio, facilitating community workshops, presenting gallery talks, and curating engaging window displays. In 2022, she also completed a Creative Indigenous Residency at Shepparton Art Museum.

Now in her current position, Tarli plays a key role in facilitating cultural events and opportunities that connect Kaiela Arts’ artist members with the broader arts sector and support getting out on Country. She is also contributing to Kaiela’s growing curatorial team, led by Chloe Jones, and is gradually stepping into curatorial practice herself, driven by a strong commitment to community connection, cultural storytelling, and First Nations leadership in the arts.