Western Australian Maritime Museum
Western Australian Museum Annual Report 2004-2005 Jandamarra Crossing Artists: Alwin Reamillo and Roselin Eaton Photograph by Norman Bailey © Western Australian Museum, 2005 Coordinated by Ann Ousey and Nick Mayman Edited by Roger Bourke Designed by Charmaine Cave Layout by Gregory Jackson Published by the Western Australian Museum Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Western Australia 6986 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106 www.museum.wa.gov.au ISSN 0083-87212204-6127 Cover: Jandamarra Crossing Artists: Alwin Reamillo, Filipino Australian, and Roselin Eaton, Walmajarri, 2003 Mixed media installation, including bamboo, beer cans, rubber tyre tubing, flicker-flame resin cast heart with electric component, motorised propeller with electrical component, motion sensor and organic material including emu feet, kangaroo leg, bush turkey feathers. Miniature landscape comprises plastic/rubber animals, miniature helicopters and termite mounds. This five-metre hybrid helicopter reflects the story of Jandamarra or Pigeon, a young Bunuba hero who led the resistance against the invasion and pastoral occupation of Aboriginal lands in the Kimberley in the 1890s. Jandamarra was an exceptional marksman and his improvised manufacture of ammunition using found materials, as well as his ability to evade capture by the authorities earned him a reputation that has become legend. He was said to be able to fly like a bird and disappear like a ghost. The helicopter is also a visual reference to the importance of aerial mustering as part of the pastoral industry in which so many Bunaba people continue to be involved. Initially proposed as an experiment in collaborative art-making with mature age students at Karrayili Adult Education Centre, the project was developed by accomplished Filipino Australian artist and teacher Alwin Reamillo, with Roselin Eaton, an Walmajarri artist, student and arts worker.
[Show full text]