The foyer of Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum now has a new artwork with Victorian-based artists Steaphan Paton and Megan Cope recently awarded the Koorie Artwork Commission.Visitors are invited to engage with the work by sitting on two large shield-shaped volcanoes and lava sculptures at ground level. A Birrarung formed by 157 translucent gum leaves is suspended above, displaying the transition from saltwater to freshwater.
Their installation is called Transcendence, and it aims to emphasize the cultural significance of the Birrarung (the Yarra River) to the Koorie community and a continued connection to the land through story and knowledge.
"Transcendence is about being in the space between Land and Sky. It is a cultural landscape that needs people to activate it. It is a place to learn, contemplate or tell stories,'' Mr. Paton said.
Paton hopes that people will come into the space to reflect, learn about Koorie culture and take that experience away to share with others.
Paton is a Gunai artist currently undertaking a Master of Contemporary Arts at the Victorian Colleg of the Arts. His previous work Boorun’s Canoe created in 2012 is on permanent display at Bunjalaka. The work celebrated the traditions of Victorian Aboriginal culture and promoted its continuation and strength.
Ms. Caroline Martin, Manager Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, said the Commission attracted a strong response from artists which made the final decision difficult for Museum Victoria selection panel members.
"Transcendence demonstrates a significant connection with the Koorie community and provides a strong and distinctive sense of the Koorie culture that is still very much alive today"
"The newly energised Bunjilaka entrance will complement the award-winning First Peoples exhibition beautifully, and we look forward to sharing it with visitors later this year. Steaphan was discussing his previous work with Bunjalaka."
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