Molly Mahoney
Molly Mahoney — 'Hawk' River Reed Necklace
"This body of work centres on river reed necklaces, a practice and knowledge that has been revitalised and passed down to Molly by my Aunty Maree Clarke. River reed necklaces were traditionally gifted to mobs passing through as a sign of safe passage through Country, a gesture of respect and care for those journeying across the land.
The creation of these necklaces is a deeply communal act— all the materials were gathered by my family, and we share in the process of collecting each element with respect and connection. The echidna quills, gathered inland, symbolise strength and protection. The feathers are inspired by my great aunt, our family’s knowledge holder. The shells honour the ocean women I descend from, reflecting the deep connection to the water that runs through my lineage.
These works are more than adornments—they are expressions of survival. They hold deep meaning because they assert a truth: we are still here, continuing to share knowledge and practicing our cultural practices that we have continued for thousands of generations."
- Molly Mahoney (Boonwurrung, Wemba Wemba, Barkindji)
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Molly Mahoney is a proud Boonwurrung, Barkindji, and Wemba Wemba woman whose artistic practice is grounded in the continuation of ancestral knowledge.
Guided by the teachings of the women in her life, Molly carries forward cultural traditions that have been practiced on Country for countless generations. She works across a variety of mediums, including possum skin cloaks, dance belts, river reed necklaces, and feather pieces. Molly thoughtfully blends traditional techniques with contemporary materials and methods, creating works that honour the past while speaking to the present.
Molly’s art is an act of cultural continuation—each piece a reflection of her deep respect for Country, family, and the power of matriarchal knowledge. Through her work, she honours her Ancestors and strengthens the cultural threads that weave past, present, and future together.
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Material: river reed, hawk feathers, string
Dimensions: 10 metre strand looped to 1.2m in length