Marririning (medium) 2022
SAX-WILLIAMS, Iluka (Tibrean (Torres Strait) and Taungurung); BOWRAN, Dan
Registration number
1884737
Artist/maker
SAX-WILLIAMS, Iluka (Tibrean (Torres Strait) and Taungurung); BOWRAN, Dan
Title
Marririning (medium)
Production date
2022
Medium
archaeological glass fragments
Dimensions (H x W x D)
51 x 18.5 x 22 cm
Credit line
Donation of Metro Tunnel Creative Project,
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection
© Courtesy of the artist, photography courtesy of Henry Trumble Photographer
Keywords
Summary
This delicate glass coolamon by Iluka Sax-Williams, created in collaboration with glass artist Dan Bowran, is a part of the Metro Tunnel Creative Project Donation received by the Art and Heritage Collection in 2023. This fragmented sculpture is built from pieces of discarded broken glass that were uncovered during the archaeological dig for the new Metro Tunnel Project.
The work was featured as a part of the exhibition 'Making the Metro Tunnel: Reflections by Contemporary Australian Artists' which took place at Domain House from 1 April - 7 May 2023, and prior to this was originally created for the exhibition 'Unearthed' produced in collaboration with Craft Victoria in 2022.
Commissioned by the Metro Tunnel Creative Program, the exhibition sought to "explore and celebrate the construction milestones of the Metro Tunnel Project, which has been under construction for several years. The artists in this exhibition have taken inspiration from archaeological digs, heavy machinery, the aesthetics of worksites and worker's equipment to produce their own portrayals of the project." - quote from 'Making the Metro Tunnel' exhibition catalogue, 2023
"Marririning’ means to ‘renew’ in the Taungurung language. During the archaeological dig for the new Metro Tunnel project, numerous objects and materials were uncovered and sorted, including into materials that could be discarded. Pieces of discarded broken glass were given to us to transform into new artworks. The artworks take the form of Coolamons, traditional objects used by the First Nations people of Australia as an everyday item to hold food, water, resources and cradle young bubups (babies). Coolamons were shaped by their user from a tree (Scar Trees predominantly) and formed into an oval curved shaped surface that could be held and transported. Indigenous people continue knowledge cycles and reinterpret traditional practices in contemporary ways. We have used new techniques of heating and glass fusion to convert these pieces of discarded glass and to give them a new culturally relevant life." - Iluka Sax-Williams, quote from 'Making the Metro Tunnel' exhibition catalogue, 2023