Honouring the Kulin people and the generations to come 2021
BLACKALL, Donna (Yorta Yorta/Taungurung)
Registration number
1809877
Artist/maker
BLACKALL, Donna (Yorta Yorta/Taungurung)
Title
Honouring the Kulin people and the generations to come
Production date
2021
Medium
flax
Dimensions (H x W x D)
120 cm (diameter)
Credit line
Commissioned by the City of Melbourne, 2020
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection
© Courtesy of the artist
Keywords
Summary
This flax weaving by Yorta Yorta/Taungurung artist Donna Blackall honours the Kulin people and the generations to come. Originally taught to weave as a young girl, Blackall rekindled her love of weaving when she participaed in a workshop with master weaver Bronwyn Razem, Gundijitimara woman. The craft of basket weaving has been around for thousands of years and the many styles and techniques have been used right throughout Australia and the world. Blackall creates pieces using modern materials and introduced plant fibres and creates contemporary art pieces that relate to the history of Victoria.
Artist Statement: 'The centre circle represents the Earth that we all stand on today and the most important thing in life. The green is for the grass that we have here in Victoria during the year, the specks of orange are for the soil underneath – the rich ochre that lays throughout the Australian countryside.
The five surrounding circles show the five countries of the Kulin nation – Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Wadawurung, Taungurung and Dja Dja wurrung. Two of these tribes reside in Melbourne and surrounding districts and three tribes in the outer parts of Victoria.
The blue and green radiating lines are the many rivers that divide countries and that run throughout parts of the Kulin. They provide so much, not only for the people but also the animals and the land. Keeping these rivers clean, ensures we stay healthy and that they will always be there in future.
The purple U shape stands for two elders to represent their tribe/country within the Kulin nation. Traditionally the people of the Kulin would gather several times of the year in different seasons, sharing knowledge, food, gifts, messages and ceremonies. Today the Kulin people gather together for the Tanderrum festival, welcoming people from around the world, to this special and unique part of country.
The rings bind the five countries together, with a connection to knowledge of the past ancestors, that’s shared and passed onto the next generation.
The red and purple U shapes are for the next two generations of Kulin people, representing the country and many of our other indigenous and non-indigenous people that stand upon the land and caretake for the land in the Kulin Nation, Victoria, Australia and the World.' - Donna Blackall, 2021