Walking With Artworks by Grace C

Second Skin - Karla Dickens

gracejcurrey — 2023-03-23 06:23:51 UTC

Second Skin is an art piece by Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens. The sculpture, depicting a battered but unbroken warrior who 'finds peaceful moments and sits in reflection' (University of Canberra n.d.), was previously on display around Lake Burley Griffin before becoming a permanant installation at the University of Canberra. Across her artworks Dickens engages with both her personal struggles as well as the historic and ongoing struggles of Australian Indigenous women. 'I’ve just had to deal with certain issues, and art is the safest way I know how to do that. The lives and abuse of Indigenous women in this country have always had so little light shone on them.' (Dickens K, cited by Vickers R 2019). The emphasis of meditation in the piece seems reflective of the importance of meditation in Dickens' own life. 'I, as a woman, have needed to do a lot of healing. Time in my studio and the act of making art is my safe place and meditation.' (Dickens K, cited by Vickers R 2019).

In displaying the sculpture, the University seeks to highlight the important role contemporary Indigenous art holds in educating people on and expressing the diversity of First Nations people. 'Karla’s sculpture provides a wonderful example of this and serves as an opportunity for staff and students to experience the depth of breath of Australia’s Indigenous diversity.' (Radoll P, cited by University of Canberra n.d.)

References:
University of Canberra (n.d.) 'New sculpture shines on campus', University of Canberra, accessed 02/03/2023. https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/media/newsroom/2018/december/new-sculpture-shines-on-campus

Vickers R (2019) 'Karla Dickens', Artist Profile, accessed 02/03/2023. https://artistprofile.com.au/karla-dickens/

ONE - Geoffrey Drake-Brockman

gracejcurrey — 2023-03-23 06:23:51 UTC

'ONE' is a '5m-tall abstract geometric sculpture based on a helicoidal transformation of a sphere' created by Perth-based artist Geoffrey Drake-Brockman. The statue was commissioned after Dr Naren Chellappah OAM approached the University of Canberra in 2015. Drake-Brockman was chosen out of eight artists, as his design 'best encompassed the values held by Dr Chellappah of truth, non-violence, love and peace.' According to then-Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deep Saini “‘ONE’ is intended to speak to the values for living: truth, right conduct, love, peace and non-violence."
Besides these values, another word can be found at the base of the sculpture. The word 'Galambany', a Ngunnawal word meaning 'We, Including You', which signifies 'respect, reflecting the values of peace, reconciliation and belonging.'
The artwork was named 'Galambany' by the United Ngunnawal Elders Council.

Reference list

Canberra Grammar School n.d., Galambany, Canberra Grammar School, viewed 2 March 2023, .

Geoffrey Drake-Brockman Artist n.d., drake-brockman.com.au, viewed 2 March 2023, .

Slavich, K 2019, Truth, respect, love and peace: UC unveils latest sculpture, viewed 2 March 2023, .

Truth, respect, love and peace: University of Canberra unveils sculpture ‘ONE’ 2019.

Journey Line: Table Tennis Table - Dannielle Mate-Sullivan

gracejcurrey — 2023-03-23 06:23:51 UTC

The University of Canberra Lodge features a blue table tennis table, painted with Indigenous designs. It was painted by an artist with Murrawari and German heritage.

In an article, the artist, Dannielle Mate-Sullivan, states that “The design represents a Journey Line. It is a symbol that talks about a mob moving from one place to another and stopping at the circles, which are often a campsite” (University of Canberra n.d.).

Aboriginal art often contains storytelling and symbolism. This piece illustrates that it comes in many different forms.

Creator: Dannielle Mate-Sullivan
Date Created: 2019

References
University of Canberra (n.d.), A Stroke of Indigenous Originality, The University of Canberra Website, accessed 2 March 2023.

NAIDOC 2021: Heal Country - Jenni Kemarre Martiniello

gracejcurrey — 2023-03-23 06:23:51 UTC

As a part of NAIDOC weeks 2021 celebrations on UC campus, renowned artist Jenni Kemarre Martiniello, an Arrernte woman, painted a striking Aboriginal artwork on the pillars outside Ngunnawal Centre.

The theme of NAIDOC week in 2021 was ‘heal country,’ creating awareness around better protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and intellectual property. Ms Martiniello has long been an advocate for Indigenous artists, founding the ‘ACT’s first independent Aboriginal-run social enterprise – Kemarre Arts. She also co-founded the Indigenous Textiles and Glass Artists (ITAG) organisation’ (Mackay 2021).

Her artwork outside Ngunnuwal Centre touches on land, water and sky. The main idea within the artwork is the Ancestral Terrain Hand, ‘Ms Martiniello said this “refers to the traditional concept that we know our land like we know the palm of our hand”’(Mackay 2021). Ms Martiniello put a lot of thought and time into the beautiful artwork and it is the first in a long-running series, where each year on NAIDOC another pillar will be painted.

Reference List:

Mackay, E (2021) Vibrant Aboriginal artwork revealed at Ngunnawal Centre, University of Canberra website, accessed 7th March 2023

Ngunnawal Country: Waterways and Springs - Richie Allan

gracejcurrey — 2023-03-23 06:23:51 UTC

On display at the Ngunnawal Centre at the University of Canberra and part of their Art Collection. Painted by local Ngunnawal artist Richie Allan.

This painting depicts "the natural waterways, underground springs and the land on which the University campus is built" (Mackay, 2022) - the land of the Ngunnawal People.

Creator: Richie Allan
Date Showcased: 25 July 2022
Type: Painting
Medium: Paint (assumed outdoor acrylic paint)

(Mackay, 2022) - Mackay, E (2022) New Aboriginal artwork on UC campus reflects underground springs and waterways University of Canberra, website Accessed 2nd March 2023

Acknowledgement of Country

gracejcurrey — 2023-03-23 06:23:51 UTC

UC acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where the Bruce campus is situated. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region. We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather.

We recognise that this online collection contains materials which relate to the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). We respect and acknowledge the cultures, knowledges, languages, artistic and spiritual practices that are held within these materials.

Photo: Matthew Sherren Photography