Wallflowers & Evergreens

Wallflowers and Evergreens is a poem by award-winning Gundungurra born Gunai Writer Kirli Saunders. Drawing on her lived experience of mental health and the connection, grounding, and healing she finds with Mother Earth. Amplifying the wisdom of the land, and the power of Old Ways for connection and wellbeing, Kirli’s poem is brought to life in this powerful collaboration with Tad Souden, a celebrated filmmaker and advocate for mental health awareness. Honouring journeys across Yuin, Gundungurra, and Dharawal lands, this short film focuses on caring for people and places. It explores relationships and reciprocity, depicting the connections forged with spirits, sand, soil, waterways, and sky. Centring presence, this film draws us into spaces where vulnerability is encouraged and meditative time is ‘measured by acacia blooming, echidna trains, winds that change, moon who wanes.’

Wallflowers and Evergreens film showcases local First Nations actors and artists, supporting communities 8 First Nations emerging act/or/resses and cultural burn project participants with paid employment opportunities in the arts in regional towns. This this film will be first exhibited as a part of Kirli’s solo poetic arts exhibition Returning in 2021. It will be digitally launched Dec 9, and accessible on digital entered into film festivals here and Overseas.

In partnership with The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, Kirli will share the film, panels and creative writing workshops with local youth, and FirstNations women and young people in 2022. 

Kirli Would like to thank Jesse, Pippin & Joyce Saunders, Dylan, Brittany, Charlotte, Marley & Bailey Russell, Adrian Webster & the Cultural Burn project Participants for their time and talent as well as Aunty Shas Robinson for her cultural guidance. Kirli also thanks Tad Souden, Bèla Hajdu, Chris Peruch, Wes Grant, Dear Gravity Jamie Lepree & Mane Collective for their artistic wisdom & generousity.

Wallflowers & Evergreens has been generously supported by Oranges & Sardines Foundation, Illawarra Women’s Health Centre & Red Room Poetry.