Carmen Glynn-Braun
Born 1987, Mpartnwe (Alice Springs), Arrernte Country, Australia
Lives and works on Gadigal/Wangal Country (Sydney) and
Arrernte (Alice Springs), Australia
Kaytetye, Arrernte and Anmatyerr 

To hold the line of ‘Ware’ (fire) 2026
collected ancestral earth, clay, glaze, pigment, resin, tea leaves, animation, looped 5 mins (animation)
Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
Courtesy of the artist 

The daughter of a documentary filmmaker, Carmen Glynn-Braun’s expansive practice draws upon 3 generations of family legacy, storytelling and community building to reclaim memory and place. Taking matrilineal knowledge systems as inspiration, To hold the line of ‘Ware’ (fire) features hundreds of hand-crafted ceramic pieces–created through and in response to workshops with her extended community–which serve as “fragments of memory” and incorporate earth collected from the artist’s own Country. The central point of this work are animated stories, shared between Glynn-Braun and the other indigenous women with whom she collaborated. Framed by tea, these mentors become inextricable from the fabric of place. 

An embodiment of the sanctuaries and safe spaces created by matriarchs – mothers, grandmothers and aunties – To hold the line of ‘Ware’ (fire) honours the fire and lasting strength of First Nations women. Celebrating these qualities in women, this work speaks directly to the importance of community collaboration, in preserving and transmitting Indigenous knowledge. A testament to the wellspring of cultural memory that brings Indigenous women into circles for healing, To hold the line of ‘Ware’ (fire) holds stories that are as enduring as they are evolving. 

Special thank you and acknowledgement to all the women and community members for support making this work. For sharing your time, knowledge, stories, and trust. 

Interviews conducted for animated component
Dr Romaine Moreton, Goenpul, Yagerabul, Minjungbul,Bundjalung, South Sea Islander (Tanouta)
Internationally recognised, poet, activist, screen writer, academic, entrepreneur and matriarch

Aunty Ali Golding, Biripi
Respected Sydney elder & matriarch of the old ‘The Block’, Redfern 

Freda Glynn, Kaytetye
Indigenous media mogul, photographer & matriarch 

Erica Glynn, Kaytetye
Film maker, screen writer and artist’s mother 

Aunty Jeanie Moran, Cammerayagal, Biripi, Yuin, Barada Bana
Custodian to Sydney Harbour, respected elder, grandmother and honorary Aunty to many. 

Kayla Evans-McGrath (Glynn-Braun), Wiradjuri
Activist and founder of ‘Her Story’, Great Grand-daughter to ‘Mum Shirl’ from the Block, Redfern. 

Shirleen Campbell, Warlpiri, Anmatyerre, Luritja, Arrernte
Anti-Domestic violence activist and co-ordinator of Tangentyere Women’s and Family Safety Group 

Ceramic participants
Barb Shaw, Warlpiri, Kaytetye, Arrernte, Warumungu
Deanne Paulson-Dixon-Nakamarra, Pitjantjatjara
Noelene Forbes, Napanangka, Arrernte, Luritja
Gwen Gillen, Napanangka, Yankunytjatjara, Western Arrernte
Luritja Helen Gillen, Napanangka, Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara
Luritja Kitana Shaw, Napaljarri, Warlpiri, Kaytetye, Arrernte, Warumungu, Yankunytjatjara, Pitjantjatjara
Shantelle McCormack, Anmatyerre, Arrernte
Kayla Glynn-Braun, Wiradjuri
Kyila Pepperill Mikayla Mangaraka Shannalee Hayes Felicity Malbunka Ali Golding, Biripi
Natalee Rolani-Golding, Biripi
Raina Mifsud, Darkinjung
Savannah Glynn-Braun, Kayteytye, Anmatyerr, Arrernte
Shantelle Matthews-Gamilaroi, Dunghutti
La Toya Pinner- Gamilaraay,Gawambaraay, Wiriyaraay, peoples of the Gomeroi nation
Cassia Glynn-Bray, Kaytetye
Thea Anamara Perkins, Arrernte, Kalkadoon
Lille Madden, Arrernte, Bundjalung, Kalkadoon
Kohdi Lee Sprague, Birpai, Gathang, Wiradjuri
Charli Anne Sprague, Birpai, Gathang, Wiradjuri
Elysia Matson, Gangulu of Pamanyungan language group
Rachel Wellington, Napaltjarri, Warlpiri
Penelope McDonald
Erica Glynn, Kaytetye
Freda Glynn, Kaytetye
Susan Glynn, Kaytetye
Alesha Braun, Arrernte, Anmatyerr, Luritja
Audrey Napanangka, Warlpiri
Courtney Swan, Pertame
Tahinee Rout, Arrernte, Anmatyerre, Warumungu
Peta Lee Cole-Manolis, Warumungu, Luritja, Yawuru
Aspen Beattie, Warumungu, Luritja, Yawuru
Sylvie Renehan, Arrernte, Warumungu, Luritja, Yawuru
Jacky Winters-Green, Dunghutti, Gamilaroi
Selina Napaljarri Bob
Magda Nakamarra Curtis
Julie Napurrurla 

Animation production assistant
Calamari Productions-Mari Adams 

Sound production assistant
Coco Monier 

Ceramic assistants Remy Pajackowski-Russell Benjamin Akuila 

Special acknowledgement and thanks to:
National Art School
Ceramics department-Louise Boscacci
First Peoples Programs-John Waight, Benjamin Akuila 

Purple House
Mel Robson
Selina Napaltjarri Bob Magda Nakamarra Curtis Julie Napurrurla
Mikaila Rodgers Lucy Stewart
Charles Darwin University Arts Department 

Tranby National Indigenous Adult Education and Training
Elysia Matsen
Kohdi Lee Sprague 

Tangentyere
Future Yayes
Women’s & Family Safety Group
Dr Chay Brown
Darcie Simpson 

Yanalangami Change Makers
Katherine
Stone La Toya
Pinner