In an exhibition where art and culture meet fashion, the Museum of brisbane presents Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose on display until 5 October 2026.
Exclusive to the Museum of Brisbane, the 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 from South-East Queensland and beyond.
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 Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose 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.
“Every Magpie Goose garment carries a story. Designs are created in collaboration with the artists and communities, screen-printed by hand onto natural fibres and proudly made here in Australia,” said Ms Hayman.
“This exhibition shows how fashion can be a powerful way to share diverse First Nations stories, spark conversations with the broader community and create meaningful impact in communities.”
Museum of Brisbane CEO & Director Zoe Graham said the new exhibition spotlights First Nations stories and voices, increasing the visibility and viability of artists in remote and regional communities, including those in the surrounding areas of Brisbane.
“Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose embraces clothing as a canvas for First Nations cultural expression, going beyond the garment to explore powerful stories of culture, community and Country,” said Ms Graham.
“The garments are more than just fashion statements – they are works of art, fostering respect, understanding, and appreciation for the world’s oldest living culture.”
“We invite you to experience the bold and bright designs of Magpie Goose and immerse yourself in the cultural stories generously shared by First Nations artists and communities through their designs,” said Ms Graham.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new exhibition continues Museum of Brisbane’s commitment to championing First Nations art and culture, and engaging audiences with the art and social history of our region.
“Stories You Wear reminds us how fashion can be more than clothing, it also shares powerful stories,” said the Lord Mayor. “The showcase offers audiences the chance to connect with culture in an engaging and accessible way.
“This collaboration demonstrates the strength of Brisbane’s creative sector and the cultural experiences we proudly support. Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and exhibitions like this attract attention from across the country and the world.”
Stories You Wear: Magpie Goose
Museum of Brisbane, Level 3, City Hall, Brisbane
Exhibition continues to 5 October 2026
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.museumofbrisbane.com.au for details.
Images: 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 by Helen Orr | 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 by Freedom Garvey-Warr and Kalumburu Photography Collective, Enterprise Partnerships