Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Transforming a pump station with Aboriginal-inspired artVibrant colours for a pump station By Portal Admin - 9th December 2017 - Back to News Indigenous students from Federation Training have helped transform the exterior of an East Gippsland Water pump station with Aboriginal-inspired art - working in conjunction with Gunaikurnai artist Alan Solomon and non-indigenous artist Tracey McKeown.
Their canvas has been the 50 year old Dalmahoy Street pump station building in Bairnsdale.
Tracey McKeown, who has also been the project manager, teaches art to both indigenous and non-indigenous students at Federation Training in Bairnsdale. She says the painting of the pump station has been an educational journey for the students involved, who are aged 17 to 40.
"Our theme has been bushfoods, reflecting the environment that surrounds the pump station, with references to aboriginal hunting tools", says Tracey. "The students have explored the past and current use of bushfoods. They travelled to Eagle Point in search of traditional foods and native animal tracks and researched the plants and trees, including their culinary and medicinal uses. Each student also chose a native animal that would have formed part of the local Aboriginal diet and created an art piece that reflects the environment of these animals."
"This initiative has been very exciting for everyone involved, adding to the current growth in awareness of indigenous arts and culture in East Gippsland. We’ve had youth participating in Aboriginal-inspired public art projects around Bairnsdale, such as vibrant artworks transforming bollards in the CBD and the ‘mountain to the sea’ dreamtime mural in the Aldi supermarket car park."
For the latest project the students have painted the south wall of the Dalmahoy Street Pump Station, using ochre-inspired colours for the background, with the main elements of their design highlighted with vibrant colours. Gunaikurnai artist Alan Solomon has brought cultural vibrancy to the west wall of the building with a modern Koori-inspired design. Finally, Tracey concentrated on the remaining two walls, where her non-indigenous artwork focuses on waterway foods that were traditionally consumed.
A burst of aboriginal-inspired art brings vibrancy to the once bland pump station building!
Managing Director, Bruce Hammond, says East Gippsland Water approached the students to help rejuvenate the pump station and is delighted that they took up the challenge. "We’ve had the exteriors of other buildings literally transformed by Aboriginal-inspired artworks, so we’ve been very much looking forward to the final result", he says. "It’s been great to be able to assist with bringing awareness of traditional Aboriginal culture to the community and we’re honoured to be involved in the cultural acknowledgement that is sweeping East Gippsland".
All the art pieces for the project have been developed in consultation with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Gippsland Water invests $550,000 to upgrade Peterkin Street sewer pump station, ensuring reliable wastewater services for Traralgon
Gippsland Water is investing $550,000 to upgrade Traralgon largest sewer pump station, replacing ageing pipes to ensure reliable wastewater services for 5,200 households. Works are underway and due for completion in September. - West Gippsland CMA celebrates 25 years of sustainable irrigation, transforming Gippsland farms, saving water and protecting local waterways
West Gippsland CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program celebrates 25 years, with 1,200 projects saving 47 gigalitres annually, enhancing farm productivity, protecting waterways, and expanding beyond the Macalister Irrigation District. - Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior honoured for Warragul Station Park artwork celebrating culture, community and family legacy
Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior's cockatoo design now features in Warragul Station Park, honouring Kurnai and Gunditjmara heritage, community ties, and his family legacy alongside uncle Lionel Rose's iconic statue. - Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion.
|
|
