The Barangaroo Delivery Authority have announced a unique multi-media artwork, Barangaroo Ngangamay, created by renowned Aboriginal multi-media artists and curators, Genevieve Grieves and Amanda Jane Reynolds, to be launched on Saturday 11 March at Barangaroo Reserve.
Sharon Mason throwing a fishing line (made from bark fibre) during the creation of ‘Barangaroo Ngangamay’ by Amanda Jane Reynolds and Genevieve Grieves. Photograph: Bonnie Elliott, 2017
Celebrating the strength, vibrancy and continuity of local Aboriginal people and their culture, the work is the result of a year-long collaboration between the artists and the local Aboriginal community through workshops with Elders and members of Sydney clans, and neighbours from the north, south and west.
Amanda Jane Reynolds said: “Barangaroo Ngangamay honours and brings to life the teachings of the Old Lady Barangaroo. She is a beacon of strength and culture for all Aboriginal people, and our aim with this work is to show visitors the deep and ongoing connections Aboriginal women of Sydney have to this place.”
The artwork features five rock engravings, known as petroglyphs, which have been hand-carved into the iconic Sydney sandstone of Barangaroo Reserve by male Aboriginal Elders Vic Simms, Steven Russell and Laurie Bimson using manual hand tools such as stones, mallets and chisels.
The engravings act as a key to unlock a series of mesmerising short films depicting the life cycles of the sun, moon and women. Each film will be accessible on mobile devices via a downloadable geo-location app, which plays the films when approaching the engravings.
Genevieve Grieves said: “We feel honoured to have been given this opportunity to share the stories and culture of Aboriginal people through this place and the powerful medium of film. Aboriginal culture is strong and vibrant – and this work gives everyone who visits Barangaroo a chance to know something of its importance to Aboriginal people.”
Barangaroo Ngangamay will run throughout 2017 and the petroglyphs will be on permanent display at Barangaroo Reserve. The launch includes a series of activities from 2pm, culminating in a twilight ceremony on Stargazer Lawn at 7pm.
Barangaroo Ngangamay is the first project developed under the Barangaroo Artistic Associates Program and is funded under the Barangaroo Public Art and Cultural Plan.
