VICTORIA UNIVERSITY ARTWORK PROJECTS
Ngarga Warendj were commissioned to create an artwork to be used in numerous ways for Victoria University.
The official opening of this project was February 11th 2020.
This project included two installations
1. Creating a 5.5m long engraved version of the artwork as part of the new Polytechnic Sunshine Skills Hub building.
We created the 16 panels using messmate - the same timber as the internal fitout of building was made from.
The panels were incorporated into the building to make the 5.5m artwork installation.
2. A black and white version of the artwork was installed the Sunshine Clinical building main stairwell skylight.
With the whole artwork piece sitting on the wall below a huge Bunjil the Wedge Tailed Eagle that was blown up
and installed into the roof skylight..
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY POLYTECHNIC SUNSHINE SKILLS HUB
Photography by Peter Bennetts
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY - SUNSHINE CLINICAL SCHOOL SKYLIGHT
ARTWORK DESIGN AND STORY
Bunjil the Wedge Tailed Eagle is the Creator Spirit of the Five mobs of the Eastern Kulin peoples. Boonwurrung, DjaDjawurrung, Taungwurrung, Wadawurrung, Woiwurrung.
I have placed Bunjil at the top within the skylight to highlight the importance of him to us. The installations include a recording of the Taungwurrung creation story in language and English. It talks of our creator spirit Bunjil and how he created the earth. You can listen to it here
This recording includes a Bunjil Creation story song created & sung by Mick and our sons Mitchil and Corey Harding.
Aboriginal people have always been innovative. Our traditional knowledge systems are directly related to our day to day practical requirements to survive and most importantly our spiritual connections to Country.
We have survived within our environment for tens of thousands of years. We can live within our environment and use its resources in such a way that is sustainable.
We use our plants & their derivatives for food and medicines, from their fibres we make equipment such as baskets & eel traps. We use tree saps as adhesives for tool making and as fixatives for natural paints when creating artworks.
We only take what we need, with respect to the environment and resources, in which we live. All of the foods we collect, and the animals we kill to eat are used. Animals for meat, and their bones & other parts such as skins and sinew are used for clothing and tool making.
My artworks are a direct reflection and connection to our knowledge system. They are my interpretation, following conversations, of the area upon which Victoria University is located on the Maribyrnong River and elements of its environment, animals and plants.
We worked with Victoria University, AECOM and Woods Bagot on this project.