- Northland Artwork Commission
- Wiradjuri Artist, Karen Lee Mungarrja
NORTHLAND ARTWORK COMMISSION
Acknowledgement of Country
As an owner and manager of community hubs right across Australia, Vicinity acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate and we pay our respect to Elders past and present.
Northland invites you to explore the collaboration between community and art in Melbourne's north.
Vicinity continues our commitment to create places where Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderPeople, Cultures, traditions and businesses are deeply appreciated, genuinely welcomed and actively encouraged.
Through ongoing collaboration with the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Northland stands, the Wurundjeri People, Vicinity aims to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture through a suite of integrated artworks for allocated spaces within Northland.
We're proud to showcase the work of Wiradjuri Artist, Karen Lee Mungarrja.
The integrated artwork will be a permanent fixture in five nodes throughout Northland.
We hope you enjoy the artwork and share in these pieces with your family and friends.
Wiradjuri Artist, Karen Lee Mungarrja
“Share with Us” / “Bundyi “(Wiradjuri) 2023
Gouache on canvas
100 x 190cm
Northland Art Collection
This artwork tells the story of sharing food, gathering and food sustainability.
Wurundjeri peoples caught fish and eel and gathered seeds using hand woven baskets, dilly bags and fishing nets. Society is progressively rethinking the way in which we not only address food waste but also how we think about packaging and the impact it has on our environment.
“Stand in one’s own light”/ “Wun-di-rra” (Wiradjuri) 2023
Gouache on canvas
60 x 190cm
Northland Art Collection
In Aboriginal culture, the Boab tree (Adansonia gregorii) is a symbol of individuality and respect. For the artist this tree is particularly important, as it is part of her country, Wiradjuri (Tubba-gah).
This artwork seeks to express a celebration of our individuality as much as the sameness which exits amongst us; all Boab trees belong to the same species, but no two trees are alike, with each having unique features and characteristics.
“Message” / “Dhurany” (Wiradjuri) 2023
Gouache on canvas
65 x 340cm
Northland Art Collection
Message sticks are traditionally a form of communication between Aboriginal tribes or nations, with the motifs (decorative images or designs) painted or carved onto the timber and containing messages.
In this artwork, the artist has painted messages of individuality, hope, and understanding onto the message sticks, all as a means of endearing a sense of respect with each other, and within the community.
“Place of Plenty” / “Dalman” (Wiradjuri) 2023
Gouache on canvas
65 x 290cm
Northland Art Collection
This artwork highlights how Aboriginal culture makes use of natural resources from the land: feathers, nuts, seeds, grasses and hair have been and are continued to be used to create and produce clothing, jewellery and utility items such as baskets and bags.
As a society we are becoming more environmentally conscious about our waste and how we use our natural resources. The artist wants to highlight this and emphasise the abundance of natural resources at our disposal.
“I will see you” / “Ngaagirridhunyal” (Wiradjuri) 2023
Gouache on canvas
65 x 480cm
Northland Art Collection
The theme of this artwork is a celebration of our individuality and joint efforts in working together towards a better world for ourselves and future generations.
The dancing, joyous figures are wearing Aboriginal ceremonial dress and are clapping their music sticks. The rainbow motifs (decorative images or designs contained in an artwork) symbolise hope; whilst the eucalyptus imagery points to a welcoming and protective gesture.
- 2-50 Murray Rd, Preston VIC 3072, Australia
- Call (03) 9478 1399
- Get directions via Google
