A striking piece of public artwork was launched with a Smoking Ceremony and education program last week in the Dandenong Ranges.
The ‘Djirra Binak’ (Reed Basket) was the site of a celebration of Country, planting and bushwalk to activate the new dynamic art space up in Kalorama.
Newly installed, the ‘Djirra Binak’ is a dynamic sculptural installation by Murrup Biik, which is a public art practice led by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin and Chris Joy, along with the Collide Public Art Initiative.
Located in Kalorama along the ngurrak barring trail, the installation has been activated with an education program for children from Mount Dandenong Primary School.
Jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments and Yarra Ranges Council, the ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk is a 39km interconnected arts and culture trail running through the Dandenong Ranges.
On the day, a Smoking Ceremony was performed by Wurundjeri woiwurrung man Darren Wandin, which was then followed with words from the artists.
The children were then invited to plant culturally significant plants around the sculpture and participate in a guided bushwalk on Country.
‘Djirra Binak’ honours the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners of goranwarrabil (the Dandenong Ranges), their woiwurrung language and Ancestral connections.
Aunty Kim said the artwork is a celebration of Country.
“Being on Country and working with natural materials connects me to my land and Ancestors, protecting and preserving intimate knowledge for future generations,” she said.
“Djirra is the reed that lives on Wurundjeri Country, providing sustenance in a broad range of ways.”
“Binak is the basket, the symbol of women providing for family, it’s the vessel for holding, nurturing and caring.”
At the heart of the installation is a detailed photographic render of one of Aunty Kim’s woven baskets.
Etched in white across several layers of glass, its intricate form hovers above a generous planting of traditional fibre plants employed in Aboriginal weaving practices.
Chris Joy said a pile of unused glass plates on the studio floor gave her the idea to create a three-dimensional hologram of Aunty Kim’s basket.
“It’s a way to honour her weaving practice, matrilineal cultural traditions, and women’s custodianship of lands and waters,” she said.
Upon reaching the central sculptural element and beholding the glass panels front on, the fragmented elements of the image are aligned, and the basket can be perceived in its entirety.
In this way, visitors become active participants in realising the work and, with that, a shared sense of custodianship and care for Country is instilled.
The artists chose the site opposite the intersection of Ridge Road and Falls Rd, Kalorama because people can enjoy being immersed in the bush while also being able to ‘look out and gaze over Country.’
The artists also acknowledged the significance of the site for the local community, as it was heavily impacted by the devastating 2021 storm, with the loss of many old trees.
Aunty Kim said the artwork is a chance to pause and reflect, and connect to the present.
“The sculpture being a reminder of Aboriginal people caring for Country. ‘Heal the people heal the land,’ as Archie Roach sang,” she said.
While the sculpture is now complete and the surrounding fencing removed, the planting is still in the establishment phase.
This planting forms an integral part of the installation, calling for an appreciation and understanding that the experience of the work is ever growing and changing.
The ngurrak barring RidgeWalk project has delivered 14 kilometres of new and improved walking tracks, pedestrian crossings, permanent sculptures, and heritage interpretation across the Yarra Ranges.
The walk connects townships, supports the local economy, and celebrates the creative and cultural significance of the area, which has seen some of Australia’s most significant artists drawing inspiration from the Dandenong Ranges.
The artwork is now accessible for the public to peruse and enjoy in time for spring.
