For generations, women have been the custodians of ancestral knowledge about plants, passing it down through food, healing practices and during key life transitions' rituals. Many of these plants are vital health allies as they support women's reproductive health, easing hormonal cycles, aiding digestion, and promoting restful sleep. These same plants are often used in ceremonies and dreamwork, connecting women to both body and spirit through generations of practice and tradition. However, when women migrate or seek refuge in a new country, this deeply rooted knowledge is at risk of being lost as the plants native to their birth land aren't easy to access any longer. Added to this the pressure to assimilate, overcome language barriers, disrupted community ties, and the need to adapt quickly can all hinder the passing on of traditional ecological knowledge. This project recognises the essential role that plant wisdom plays in women’s health and cultural identity. By centering the voices and experiences of newly arrived migrant and refugee women, it honours their resilience and celebrates the continuity of their knowledge. Through storytelling, art, and textile, this project provides a platform for women to reclaim and share their heritage—fostering wellbeing, intergenerational connection, and a more inclusive understanding of healing traditions.
Celebration event
Join the artist for a Celebration Event on Thursday 6 November from 6.30 - 8.30pm at Kingston Arts Centre, including complimentary refreshments. Please RSVP at the link provided.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sofie Dieu is a French-born, Melbourne-based visual artist, academic, and PhD candidate at Monash University. Her collaborative projects with communities, musicians, and organisations—such as the Black Dog Institute and Multicultural Women Victoria—explore migration, ecology, and women’s cultural knowledge. Her works, including Longing for Home and Sacred Plants, Our Ancestors’ Legacy, have been exhibited across Australia and France. Sofie has received major grants from Creative Victoria and Creative Australia. She is a finalist in national prizes like the Percivals and Waterhouse, and her work is held in public and private collections in Europe and Australia.
ACCESS
Free street parking is available near all Kingston Arts exhibition spaces. Dedicated mobility parking spots are located at the main entrances of Kingston Arts Centre (G1 & G2) and Shirley Burke Theatre (G3).
G1 and G2 at Kingston Arts Centre are less than 200m from Moorabbin Station. G3 at Shirley Burke Theatre is less than 200m from Parkdale Station.
All venues have automatic doors and either flat or ramp access at their main entrances. The side entry at Kingston Arts Centre & Kingston City Hall also has step-free access.
Each gallery space provides all-gender, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
For more details and special requirements visit our accessibility page
We are committed to providing accessibility options for all our patrons. Please reach out to our helpful staff by calling (03) 9556 4440 or emailing if you have any queries.
Image credit: Sofie Dieu Sacred Water with Papa (detail) 2025, embroidery on bed linen, silk and lace scraps, cotton thread.