UNDER THE SURFACE - GunaiKurnai Country

Under the Surface is a curated public art project comprising of local and internationally renowned artists' works, located along the existing East Gippsland Rail Trail and extending through a selection of villages, hamlets and townships of GunaiKurnai Country.

The project invited local indigenous artists Alice Pepper and Patricia Pittman, to be joined by visiting artists David “MEGGS” Hooke, Ling and Minna Leunig in solo and collaborative works - led by the story of the GunaiKurnai community.

Sites include:
• Nicholson River Bridge, Nicholson. Patricia Pittman
• Partelli's Crossing, Tostaree. Minna Leunig
• Orbost Butter Factory, Orbost. LING
• Nowa Nowa underpass/tunnel. Collaboration between Alice Pepper and Meggs

Each of the artists’ practice focuses on flora, fauna and natural environment and the works subsequently draw attention to the natural environment, assisting in visual storytelling and aiming to connect and grow human relationships with the land through art.

Through a cultural awareness program with the local Gunaikurnai artist collective and community, the visiting artists developed learnings on artistic practices, storytelling, introduction to the local environment and an understanding of land management and preservation. In turn, visiting artists shared their creative skills with locals, encouraging confidence in presenting works at a larger scale, with connection to story. The final result being shared storytelling through public art.

The new work joins existing shelter artworks in Bairnsdale at the beginning of the rail trail by Alfie Hudson, another in Nicholson by local artist Tracey Solomon (see below), and the water tank in Bruthen by Alan Solomon.

Under the Surface follows the route of the former Orbost railway line and passes through a variety of forest and farmland landscapes with snapshot views of the picturesque Gippsland Lakes. The Social Crew conducted onsite research, engaged key community members and groups, and collaborated with GLaWAC and the East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee to design and curate the project in order to better inform the travelling artists of their subject matter and the land on which they stand.

“We are excited to share the beautiful result of conscious collaboration. We took the time to do the project properly, ensuring that the works were led by the story of the Gunaikurnai community. It's a small start to what we hope we will be able to extend across all of GunaiKurnai Country.”
Belinda Collins, Creative Director, The Social Crew.

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WORKS BY

Patricia Pittman
Nicholson River Bridge, Nicholson

Patricia is from the Yuin Nation on the South Coast of New South Wales, but is now settles in Bairnsdale on Gunaikurnai Country in South Eastern Victoria.

The land and sea creatures of her south coast childhood feature in all Patricia's works. A highly prolific artist, this is evident in her distinct style and intricate artistry.

“All my artworks are based on my childhood memories. I usually refer all my artworks to my family’s totems. My mother is my inspiration for drawing goannas, it was her totem as she was of the Kamilaroi Nation from Quirindi NSW. We have grown up around all animals and where we go camping in Bega, goannas are everywhere.

East Gippsland has a strong and proud Aboriginal history dating back many thousands of years.

Our ancestors camped and lived along the Nicholson River, they speared fish from canoes which they made themselves from the trees, there was an ample supply of many fish, such as bream, bass, mullet, and flathead.

The river was a good source of food, this mural represents our ancestor's life on the river, their camps, and where they travelled up and down to different places and you can see the local fish and birds that live along the water.” Patricia Pittman

Minna Leunig
Partelli's Crossing, Tostaree

Minna Leunig is a Geelong based artist working in limited pigments to create playful, primal and earthy images inspired by the natural world - all the way from the dry sclerophyll forests of the Strathbogie ranges to the tangled mangroves and thick rainforests of Cape York. Her work is characterised by a wandering hand and an intuitive lyrical approach to aesthetics.

As well as having exhibited at galleries such as Backwoods, Outré, Juddy Roller, Montsalvat, Neon Parlour and Lamington Drive, Minna has a keen interest in bringing art out of gallery spaces and into the public realm through street art.

“This mural concept is based on stories and references from around Nowa Nowa relating to fish and water as vital elements of life, community and culture.

In and around Nowa Nowa, fishing spots act as community gathering places for family and friends to be together, to be present, to enjoy the tranquillity of nature and practice culture.

This concept depicts abstracted fish, butterflies and various plant species arranged in a flat silhouetted pattern, which will be painted as a scaled up, bold design covering the entirety of the toilet block in Partellis Crossing.” Minna Leunig

Minna has chosen a vivid red and off white so that the piece is lively and striking in the landscape - the idea is that the building itself becomes the artwork.

LING
Orbost Butter Factory, Orbost

Ling is a Melbourne based graffiti / street artist that has been adding colour to his surrounding environment since 2000. Known for producing large-scale murals, Ling looks to combine the aesthetics of traditional graffiti with that of his childhood. The outcome being finished pieces with bold colours and heavy textures that give a nod to his graffiti pedigree whilst showing patience and consideration in application.

“The installation at the Orbost Butter Factory is a reflection of time spent on Gunaikurnai Country. Spending time throughout Gippsland and the Lakes area it’s impossible to escape just how beautiful the landscape is - lush greens and rolling hills contrasting with the burnt reminders of recent bushfires.

As a bookend for the East Gippsland Rail Trail it was important to ensure this was represented in the finished piece and that the mural worked within the existing landscape, complimenting it and providing a preview of things to be seen and experienced on the trail.” LING

To achieve this LING worked with Shanh from Alchemy Orange, a Melbourne based indigenous florist to produce an arrangement which was subsequently photographed and is represented in the final painting.

David “MEGGS” Hooke
Nowa Nowa underpass/tunnel, Nowa Nowa

David ‘MEGGS’ Hooke is a mural, street and fine artist based in Melbourne, recognized for his large scale murals and detailed paintings that combine elements of nature, industry and abstraction to create imagery that evokes a sense of flowing movement and change. His work explores core themes of sustainability, consumerism and duality in an evolving exploration of connectivity and the harmony found between beauty and decay.

MEGGS has exhibited and produced murals within Greater Melbourne, Sydney and Wagga Wagga, as well as internationally, in California, Michigan, Texas, Hawai’i, London, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico and India.

Alice Pepper
Nowa Nowa underpass/tunnel, Nowa Nowa

Alice Pepper is a Gunnai artist with connections to Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti and Arrernte Peoples, the Aboriginal Community Engagement Coordinator within the Cultural Hub of GunaiKurnai Land and Water Corporation (GLaWAC), and an elected member for Gippsland on the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, which is leading work in the development of a Treaty Negotiations Framework for Victoria.

Alice has a great passion and interest in cultural expression through local stories, songs, language and cultural dance that connects her to her Country & experiments with different mediums, practices, skills and knowledge that has been passed on by elders and cultural specialists.

Alice connects to Country which has natural medicines for her through deep listening on special places on Country, weaving with the grass, making possum skin Cloaks painting the story from Country and singing in language and learning the ancient practices of my ancestors is my way of healing and balancing the mind in the fast paced world we live in.

“On the south entry, a Welcome to Country - a woman and man wear possum skins cloaks as a young boy plays the clapsticks. A smoking ceremony in the Coolamon with gum leaves gently drifts to lead you into the tunnel.

Throughout the tunnel are references to gathering as well as the inclusion of four floating feathers: Borun (Pelican), Tuk (Musk Duck) - the mother & father creators and Djeetgung & Yeering (superb fairy & Emu Wren) - the male and female Totems of the GunnaiKurnai people.

Throughout the tunnel, the colour palette of land and sky and also the hands on the rocks, representing ancestors that have walked for many thousands of years before us.

The North entry features Lomandra, a grass-like plant local to the area, used for weaving baskets for fishing - a traditional method passed down from ancestors.” Alice + Meggs

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Listen Here

Apple Podcast - Under the Surface
RRR 102.7 FM Smart Artz with Belinda Collins

Acknowledgements.

The project is designed, produced and delivered by The Social Crew. The Social Crew delivered our component probono for the community.

With special thanks to our collaboration with Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, East Gippsland Shire Council, and the East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee.

This project received grant funding from the Australian Government and Victorian State Government.

Press Enquiries
fiona@zillaandbrook.com.au

Project Enquires
hello@thesocialcrew.com.au

Photo credit
Nicole Reed Photography

Film credit
The View From Here with thanks to Visit Gippsland