An experimental shadow puppetry show by Wiradjuri artist Bria McCarthy is set to debut on Sunday, 26 February, at Arts and Cultural Exchange (ACE), Parramatta.

Tales from Liminas: The winner's wand reimagines the Australian landscapes, where the voices of nature are loud, unpredictable and mischievous.

The themes evoke the new world meeting the old in a deeply sentimental soundscape, as well as channeling childhood imagination.

By using traditional folk instruments Tales from Liminas creates a cinematic atmosphere to captivate the audience, and it subverts expectations of the natural world with eccentric and experimental charm.

"As an artist, the environment and the interconnectivity of all living things truly inspire me. My work is a celebration of nature and a call to action for environmental conservation," says McCarthy.

"This story teaches us that we all have a joint responsibility to care for each other and for our world, reflecting on our own connections with land inspired by Country, deep time and deep listening.

"It is an expression of my own personal Dreaming through fantasy."

McCarthy engages in a multi-faceted practice that encompasses writing, directing, puppeteering, and teaching.

She debuted her first play, A game of Flies, in 2019 and performed at PYT Fairfield. Since then she has continued to create and perform on stage.

Akala Newman, ACE producer of First Nations Programs, said "McCarthy redefines what it means to be a 'Contemporary Indigenous artist' today encapsulating the nostalgia of the past embedded in the present".

"The Tales from Liminas challenges the notions of myths and legends from a First Nations perspective, asking audiences to also empathise with non-human lives and characters," she said.

"Heavily narrated through live music it imitates the pulsating presence of the land and all living things seen and unseen.

"Her musical ensemble plays together as one, echoing the connectivity of nature. Through the innate mode of storytelling she uncovers the magic and power that exists around us since time immemorial," said Newman.

ACE is proud of expanding its artist-in-residence positions to Western Sydney First Nations creatives to hone their craft and highlight the blossoming talent of the region.

This residency is part of ACE's First Nations youth residency program Still Growing and proudly supported by the NSW Government Youth Opportunities program.