Ngangu biik: Hear, Understand Country, produced by Indigenous visual artist Mandy Nicholson and Wurundjeri Senior Elder Aunty Diane Kerr, will be displayed on the Signal screens in Northbank from August 14 to 22.
Ngangu biik: Hear, Understand Country follows Aunty Diane’s journey as she connects to Country, her language (woi wurrung) and creates a ceremonial possum skin cloak (walert -walert).
Councillor Rohan Leppert, Chair of the arts portfolio, said Ngangu biik: Hear, Understand Country is an important story to be told.
“Melbourne is the land of the Kulin Nation and the stories from the past and present are key to the way we live in and interpret the city as we know it,” Cr Leppert said.
“This remarkable project reveals a special connection to country and will allow the audience to experience and understand their own connections to Melbourne. We all have a role in making sure stories such as this continue to be a major part of our city.”
Ngangu biik: Hear, Understand Country has been developed out of Aunty Diane’s passion to revitalise her mother tongue woi wurrung.
“Woi wurrung currently has no fluent speakers and is in revival mode, which makes projects such as this integral for its recovery. The importance of reviving and passing on language and sharing our stories is not only about our healing, but it’s also about celebrating the present and passing this on to future generations,” Aunty Diane said.
“I hope that this work educates people about the original language of this area and gives them awareness of the too often untold stories of this land.”
Through a series of workshops at Signal, young people were supported to engage with Aunty Diane’s story and language through song. Photographer Tiffany Garvey also developed works with creative production assistance from artist Tim Bright.
What: Ngangu biik: Hear, Understand Country
Where: Signal Screens, Flinders Walk, Northbank
(behind Flinders St Station towards Sandridge Bridge
When: 14 to 22 August. (After dark, from 6pm)
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/Signal/WhatsHappening/Pages/August.asp
The City of Melbourne is committed to supporting artists and art events to ensure that the city’s distinctive culture of art-making and community participation thrives into the future. For more information about the Arts Strategy 2014-17 visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/arts