Bunjilaka redevelopment blog

New Photographs - Eliza Gregory

16 February, 2011 14:21 by Lucy

A portrait by Eliza Gregory.
Image: Eliza Gregory
Source: Eliza Gregory

What have you given up in order to merge with mainstream culture?

And what have you held onto, in order to feel like yourself?

These two questions form the basis of a new large-scale, Melbourne-based project by American artist Eliza Gregory.

In Eliza’s new exhibition, ‘The Local’, responses to the above questions are exhibited alongside photographic portraits of Melbourne community members. In putting the show together, she has partnered with non-profit organisations InfoXchange, Carringbush Adult Education, and the Collingwood Housing Estates Arts Committee.

She says: "I find that for some people, the answers to these questions are simple and easy. For others they are complicated and emotional. But the answers are always interesting."

Eliza says the show itself is an extension of the art. "What I want most is to communicate about the experience of getting to know the people in your community. So the show is about that, but it also facilitates that at the same time."

You can see Eliza’s new photographs at the Yarra Sculpture Space in Abbotsford from March 11-27, 2011.

Or find out more at www.elizagregory.com

And watch a video about the project at:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/821341500/the-local-holding-on-and-letting-go

Yarra Sculpture Space
117 Vere Street
Abotsford, VIC 3067
Telephone: (03) 9419 6177
Open 12pm-5pm Wednesday to Sunday

Boon Wurrung Ngargee Sunset Ceremony

10 February, 2011 15:43 by Lucy De Kretser

Last Saturday, some of us Bunjilaka mob braved the floods and headed over to St Kilda for the Boon Wurrung Ngargee Sunset Ceremony, held in the O'Donnell Gardens. We were absolutely blown away by what turned out to be a truly amazing (and rainless!) ceremony.

Boon Wurrung Ngargee was designed to reclaim and celebrate local Boon Wurrung stories, Lore and Language through new songs and dance. Thirty young Indigenous dancers and their families from the Frankston, Footscray and Fitzroy communities worked with Senior Elders and professional artists to create the contemporary ceremony, designed to light up the park, dance up country and sing up Old Lore into NOW, which it did with great success!

It was the first time in 170 years that these stories had been sung in Language on Country, and participants pulled out all the stops to create an extraordinary, highly memorable, and deeply moving experience for all. We hope you enjoy the pics below!

Aunty Carolyn, Jacob and Nikki
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum Victoria

Female Elders singing in Language and playing the possum skin drums
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaFire is central to the Ceremony
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaUncle Larry and a little fella in the foreground
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaElders playing the drums, including Manager of Bunjilaka, Caroline Martin, in paint to awaken the Spirit
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaUncle Larry
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaThe women and young girls do a beautiful dance while their Elders sing
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaThe boys and men do their dance
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaYoung'uns
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum VictoriaToooo cute.
Image: Genevieve Grieves
Source: Museum Victoria

Warrnambool Memorial to Aboriginal Servicemen and Women

10 February, 2011 15:04 by Lucy

Late last year I attended a ceremony in Warrnambool to honour the contributions of Aboriginal servicemen and women from the South West of Victoria in Australia's war efforts. A smoking ceremony, dance performance, and speeches marked the unveiling of a new memorial plaque to Aboriginal servicemen and women, which is situated on Cannon Hill.  Below are some pics of the day.

Are you interested in this largely untold history? Do have stories about Aboriginal servicemen and women? We'd love to hear from you!

Dancers crowd around the memorial
Image: Lucy De Kretser
Source: Museum Victoriawreaths laid at the memorial
Image: Lucy De Kretser
Source: Museum VictoriaThe memorial on Cannon Hill, Warrnambool
Image: Lucy De Kretser
Source: Museum VictoriaMemorial to Aboriginal Servicemen and Women, Warrnambool
Image: Lucy De Kretser
Source: Museum Victoria