Monday 1 October 2012

MELBOURNE TWO WORLDS MURAL

"Melbourne: Two Worlds", situated in the Pedestrian laneway adjacent to 82 Collins Street,  is a mural exploring the stories and culture of the Wurundjeri community, depicting Aboriginal peoples’ connection with their ancestral past within a contemporary Melbourne context. The artists are from the Wurundjeri Council: Judy Nicholson, James MacFayden, Ashley Firebrace-Kerr and Derek Smith who collaborated on the project.

The mural depicts Bunjil the Wedge-tailed Eagle, the creator spirit of all living things including the first people, the rivers, mountains and trees. Other stories depicted also offer insight into the lore that was held strictly by the elders on Country. Wurundjeri people evolved a way of life finely tuned to the local environment. Since much of Melbourne’s flora needs fire to stimulate regrowth and germinate seeds, they worked with fire and not against it. Food gathering was also conducted under the lore of the elders. This was done in a suitable manner and was of paramount importance. Goannas, kangaroos, emus, possums and snakes were speared and eggs collected from waterbirds and emus.

The Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council was established in 1985 by descendants of the Wurundjeri people who are the traditional owners of Melbourne and surrounding country. Their thriving art and craft program enables Wurundjeri members to share and learn about traditional cultural practices. "Melbourne: Two Worlds" was originally commissioned for the Laneway Commissions 2011.

This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme.








21 comments:

  1. You did a wonderful job of showing all the parts of the mural! Such a colorful one too, with lots to explore!

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  2. That mural is so blue-tiful!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Happy Blue Monday!

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  3. A very nice mural, so much to see and so colourfull.

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  4. I am currently working on a wall mural. at my friends house. :-) will post that soon

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  5. The detail of line shape and colour in this is extraordinary! And love all the mini stories within the larger story! Beautiful!

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  6. The murals are wonderful. So much detail. Very nice images.

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  7. I love the murals!! They are indeed wonderful and so colorful! You always capture the details so beautifully, Nick! Hope your week is off to a good start! Take care!

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  8. Wonderful details in this one!

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  9. I am almost dizzy from all the things to see in this one!

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  10. Being impressed seems not be enough to say. Wonderful where alike is possible, and happening.

    Please have a good Tuesday.

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  11. Beautiful murals!

    My BLUE
    Your comment is always a delight to read.

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  12. I confess to being completely ignorant about Australia's First Peoples cultures. Your choice for this week's mural helped to raise my consciousness. Creation myths are fascinating and the images in this mural capture the imagination. Thanks for the detailed photos. And, thank you for contributing to Monday Mural.

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  13. A red kangaroo, I love it.

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  14. Those murals are fabulous!

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  15. There is a lot of story jammed into this smallish mural!

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  16. Goodness. You do have a knack for spotting murals I have not seen before.

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  17. The rich cultures of the people amazes me. We are ignorant of the ancient practices and their knowledge in living with nature.
    Beautiful write up , Nick, made me understand and appreciate Melbourne, more.

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