Munarra Artwork Commissions

‘Our cultural expression through art, is an act of reclamation of cultural practices. The knowledge imbued within, asserts our invincible spirit, unbroken connections and invites others to share in the belonging of the myriad of connections we exist in and create.
It represents the excellence in which Munarra, meaning thunder, will be our place to continue our way of being, and as thunder does, reverberate in all we are and in all we do.’
– Belinda Briggs, Yorta Yorta/ Wemba Wemba, Kaiela Arts Indigenous Lead Munarra Artwork Commissions

Victorian Curriculum

Relevant Level 4, 5 & 6 Descriptions for 2020 focus. Other descriptors apply for other levels.

Our program supports learning across the humanities curriculum, general capabilities and in particular the Visual arts.

Visual Arts

In Levels 5 and 6, students explore how and why artists, craftspeople and designers realise their ideas through different visual forms, practices and processes. They develop conceptual and expressive skills.

As they make and respond to visual artworks, students explore a diversity of ideas, concepts and viewpoints. They draw ideas from other artists, artworks, symbolic systems, beliefs and visual arts practices in other cultures, societies and times.

Students extend their understanding of safe visual arts practices and choose to use sustainable materials, techniques and technologies.

Explore and Express Ideas

Explore ideas and artworks from different cultures and times as inspiration to create visual artworks (VCAVAE025)

Explore visual arts practices as inspiration to create artworks that express different ideas and beliefs (VCAVAE029)

Visual Arts Practices

Explore visual conventions and use materials, techniques, technologies and processes specific to particular art forms, and to make artworks (VCAVAV026)

Select and apply visual conventions, materials, techniques, technologies and processes specific to different art forms when making artworks (VCAVAV030)

Respond and Interpret

Identify and discuss how ideas are expressed in artworks from a range of places, times and cultures, including artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (VCAVAR028)

History

Identify and describe patterns of continuity and change in daily life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ‘native born’ and migrants in the Australian colonies (VCHHC085)

Significant contributions of individuals and groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and migrants, to changing Australian society (VCHHK096)

Intercultural Capability

Analyse how aspects of their own and others lifestyle, behaviour, attitudes and beliefs can be culturally influenced (VCICCB009)

Geography

Influence of people, including the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places (VCGGK094)

Personal and Social Capability

Describe what it means to be confident, adaptable and persistent and why these attributes are important in dealing with new or challenging situations (VCPSCSE027)

Image courtesy of Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence

In 2023 Kaiela Arts was commissioned by Munarra to work alongside Spacecraft and ARM to develop artworks for the new Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence building and landscape.

Kaiela Arts’ Indigenous Leads, Belinda Briggs and Lyn Thorpe, brought together their connections, stories, and knowledges of past, present and future, to facilitate creative developments, artworks and designs, capturing the meaning and purpose of Munarra as a place to uphold our values and celebrate who we are.

Commissions

The project was delivered in two phases, the first being to develop artworks for the building cladding elements and screening elements for central courtyard in May 2023.

Yorta Yorta artists Glennys Briggs, Norm Stewart and Suzanne Atkinson were selected to develop narrative responses to each space and element through a conversational process.

Their artwork wrapping around the Munarra building, represents a diversity of Yorta Yorta family groups, and reflects the strength and versatility of their individual creative styles across different media.

L-R – Danica Miller, Stewart Russell, Suzanne Atkinson, Belinda Briggs, Glenny Briggs, Norm Stewart, Lyn Thorpe.

Munarra Gunyah Camp

Munarra Gunyah Gathering was the second phase of artwork development, an intergenerational, practical workshop model devised and facilitated by Belinda Briggs and Lyn Thorpe, to create the artworks for the building interior and landscaping opportunities.

ASHE students and young RFNC members with Elders and the Munarra Artwork Commissions team. Photo by James Henry.

Local Elders and young people with connections to Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC) and Academy of Sports Health Education (ASHE), gathered with the project team at the RFNC over two days in August 2023 to explore and capture the vision of Munarra through designs and language words using natural materials and printing techniques.

This approach embedded Aboriginal ways of doing, being and knowing, in a collaborative process to facilitate and embed the integration and continuity of inherited values and principles inspired by the Invincible Spirit of Yorta Yorta Ancestors and Nanyak (who we are and where come from).

Munarra Gunyah Camp was a unique opportunity to activate these principles and practices during the build of Munarra, contributing to a strong foundation and legacy for future generations who will occupy the space.

We look forward to seeing the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence opening very soon.