Beyond Balawan Aesthetic Responses to the Bundian W Ay
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Sally Mumford Affinity (detail) 2015 Wenzhou rice paper roll, sumo ink, etchings 25 x 300 cm Beyond Balawan Aesthetic responses to the Bundian Way Beyond Balawan Beyond Balawan Aesthetic responses to the Bundian Way 2 - 11 September 2015 2015 Photograph: Greg Sorenson Greg 2015 Photograph: Photospace Gallery School of Art Balawan Balawan The Australian National University iii Acknowledgements Bundian Way Art Initiative (BWAI): For more information about the John Blay, Denise Ferris, Christine Freudenstein, ANU School of Art Environment Studio: Amanda Stuart, John Reid, Heike Qualitz, Amelia http://soa.anu.edu.au/environment-studio Zaraftis Visiting Artists: Photography of artwork courtesy of Darren Mongta & Lee Cruse the artists, except for pages: 5,6,7,8,9 Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council & Jigamy Farm (partially),10,11,12,14,15,16,25,26,27 (Monaroo Bobberrer Gudu): 28,29,30,31,32,33 - Ossie Cruse, BJ Cruse, Noel Whittem, Chris Byrd Photography: Heike Qualitz National Parks & Wildlife Services: Catalogue Design: Franz Peters Heike Qualitz August 2015 Yam Daisy project: © Copyright resides with the artists and writers Aileen Blackburn & Annabelle Dorrough Guest Lecturer: This catalogue was printed with the support of the Dr Gretchen Scholte ANUSA SEEF Grant. School of Art Workshop staff: Rowan Conroy, Jason O’Brian, Wendy Teakel, Ashley Eriksmoen, Alison Alder, John Pratt, Nicci Haynes, Richard Whitley, Emma Beer, Harry Townsend School of Art Workshop staff: Cindy de Pina, Barbara McConchie, Waratah Lahy & Art Forum, Amy Kerr Menz Photospace and Stairway Gallery Carolyn Killen and Ivy Hill Gallery Darren Mongta, Denise Ferris & Lee Cruse 2015 Photograph: Amelia Zaraftis iv v Contents Articles 1 The Art of the Bundian Way - John Blay 3 Beyond Balawan - Amanda Stuart The Artists 5 Miriam Slater 23 Claire Williams 7 Olivia Willems 24 Imogen Wall 2015 Photograph: Amelia Zaraftis 2015 Photograph: 8 Darren Mongta 25 Clare Solomon 9 Juliet Berry 27 Joanna Harris - MacNeil 11 Sally Mumford 29 Kristi Tortoritis 12 Rose Townsend 30 Katy Penman 13 Ned Bott 31 Richilde Flavell 15 Belle Parker 33 Ceilidh Dalton 16 Kelda Morris 34 Shevan Gunesekera 17 Lee Cruse 35 Louis Grant 19 Greg Sorenson 36 John Reid 21 Eli Vrbová 37 Roseanna Parkes 22 Alex Hobba 38 AAH - HAA Darren Mongta talking to students at Newton’s Crossing Crossing Newton’s at students to talking Mongta Darren iv vii The Art of the Bundian Way John Blay The Bundian Way is a shared history highest part of the continent to the place. It has indeed inspired me and inspiration from their communications pathway between the Kosciuszko high ocean. fortified my work for very many years. with the students and believe it has also country and Twofold Bay near Eden And while its recognition on the NSW The way I see it, the function of the worked the other way round. But the on the New South Wales far south heritage list and ongoing development Bundian Way is not simply practical proof is in the pudding, as they say, and coast. Its 380-kilometre route follows as a walking trail acknowledge the and about reconciliation. I’m overjoyed this exhibition is looking as though it will traditional pathways as it traverses old Aboriginal people, and provide any time someone else discovers its become an ongoing story. some of the nation’s wildest, most work for the young, there is another inspirational qualities. The concept remarkable landscapes from the side to this very scenic long-distance of it, its very length and breadth, John Blay, July 2015 demands works of art. The Bundian Way Arts Initiative is an John Blay and students on the Bundian Way 2015 Photograph: Heike Qualitz exciting collaboration between Bundian Way Project, Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and the School of Art with an aim to facilitate Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal visual artists to undertake field research together on part of the Bundian Way and develop fine art for public exhibition that aesthetically characterises the Bundian Way. And as we progress new frontiers we will hopefully be opened in reconciliation and be seeing Country through fresh eyes. The work that has gone on between the School of Art, the Bundian Way community and the students has been an extremely productive two-way street John Blay and students near Davidson for us. Aboriginal mentors Darren Whaling station (View to Balawan) 2015 Mongta and Lee Cruse have found Photograph: Heike Qualitz Balawan and Beyond Amanda Stuart In the spring of 2013 a long, slow also as an entity with enormous cultural and educators, but more importantly on Manager of NSW National Parks and But most importantly, the Bundian Way know just a splinter of its creative potential, burning conversation commenced in significance for present and future our desire to facilitate an outstanding Wildlife Service, Bombala. simply felt like the right path to follow, with wonderment and healing capacity through Canberra about the Bundian Way, which generations. shared experience and exchange of The Bundian Way as a study focus the right people and at the right time. It coordinating the Balawan Elective. has manifested in the ANU School of So the Bundian Way Arts Initiative creative ideas between cultures, both for an Environment Studio Elective offered a completely authentic place for Many minds, hands and hearts have Art (ANUSOA) Environment Studio’s (BWAI) was born, with members Denise on country and at the School of Art. At is incredibly rich in a myriad of ways. immersion and contemplation for us all contributed to building this path between Balawan Elective and current exhibition Ferris, John Blay, Christine Freudenstein, the heart of this project was the aim of It presents a unique on country field as artists and as sensitive, responsive our communities and for this, we are Beyond Balawan. This conversation John Reid, Heike Qualitz, Amelia Zaraftis sharing knowledge and central to this was based experience for students to learn humans with a genuine concern for indebted. It feels like early days on the was to unite the ANUSOA with many and Amanda Stuart. We met regularly the project’s reciprocal nature: ANU staff about relations to country directly from building strong and ongoing relationships ‘Way’ and we heartily look forward to individuals and communities associated with determination to discuss the practical and students being hosted by Aboriginal Aboriginal artists and knowledge keepers with both people and places. All along this continuing this journey together. with the Bundian Way and was reliant ways that the School of Art could connect artists on country, and in turn, hosting of the region. It also offers students an journey we have been nurtured by our on early, crucial support from some with the Bundian Way. The conversations these artists at the ANU School of Art. opportunity to learn about and ponder generous hosts and guides’ hospitality, Amanda Stuart, August, 2015 key visionaries. John Reid, (artist that ensued led to the realization of John Blay was pivotal in communicating colonial history in Australia through the warmth and sharing of personal and architect of the School of Art’s this new chapter in the School and with key members of the Eden Local lens of this particular region. As visitors to knowledge. Environment Studio), John Blay (writer Environment Studio’s history, the inspired Aboriginal Land Council and Bundian the region, students were able to reflect The Bundian Way was, is and will be 1 Heike, Amelia and myself were mentored by and journeyman) and Denise Ferris Balawan Elective, re-uniting Heike Way Committee and in securing their upon notions of connection to country many things to many beings over time. John Reid to conduct the Eden Project on the (artist and Head of School, ANU School Qualitz, Amelia Zaraftis and myself1 in the interest in the project. He also facilitated and to develop strategies to implement a I can speak freely for my colleagues when Far South Coast of NSW in 2011 as a successful of Art). roles of Field coordinators and lecturers. the presence of Elders such as BJ Cruse visual art language in response to field I say what a privilege it has been so far, to Environment Studio Field Study, and one that The University’s early forays into Head of School, Denise Ferris, pledged and the community’s nomination of observations. experience the warmth of this fire and to planted the seeds for the Balawan Elective. connecting up with the Bundian Way crucial funding to the project, based on two astonishing visiting artists - Darren quickly revealed the tireless work and student interest and enrolments in the Mongta and Lee Cruse. John also dedication of John Blay, alongside Balawan Elective. The Bundian Way established contact with well-respected Darren Mongta & Lee Cruse with students at the School of Art 2015 Photograph: John Reid community Elders, members of the Eden then demonstrated its pulling power – in women such as Aileen Blackburn, who Local Aboriginal Land Council and the its often-observed capacity to generate shared special knowledge with our group broader local community. Their traditional its own path. Students revealed their on country – a highlight for many of and contemporary understanding of this genuine desire for such a project, with our students. John was instrumental in ancient route made it extremely clear that unprecedented enrolment numbers. The attracting the interest of hugely informed the Bundian Way was hugely significant, project simply, got wings. and seasoned representatives from other not only as a shared historic pathway The Balawan Elective drew not only on government land management agencies (literally in Canberra’s backyard), but our cultural concerns and focus as artists in the area, such as Franz Peters, Area 3 Miriam Slater Remember Me? is an interactive work based upon my interests in the individual and communal experiences shared within the Bundian Way.