ABORIGINAL ART nodes By Erica Louise Photos Supplied
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ix Mornington Peninsula Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups have revitalised 16 lifeless NBN optical fibre cable cabinets with striking new artworks. This is due to an innovative art project initiated by the Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Tracey-Lea, Arts & Cultural Development Coordinator at the Mornington Peninsula Shire, said “The Shire had received complaints from the community after seeing NBN nodes being tagged and covered with graffiti. We were asked whether there was a possibility of engaging local artists to decorate the cabinets with murals.”
Recognising the importance of Aboriginal storytelling through art, the Mornington Peninsula Shire collaborated with NBN Co., and called upon six local Aboriginal groups, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC), Balee Group, Baluk Arts, Bunjilwarra, Living Culture and Willum Warrain to complete the task of preparing artworks for the nodes.
Seeing an opportunity to boost Aboriginal art in the public and increase the awareness of Peninsula-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups as highlighted in the Shire’s Art and Culture Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan, Tracey-Lea contacted NBN Co to discuss the idea of decorating node cabinets with Aboriginal artworks.
Gunditjmara and Torres Strait Islander artist Lisa Waup, from Baluk Arts, with her node artwork ‘Community’. Photo: Tanya Fry
Men’s Business’ by the Willum Warrain Men’s Group at Hastings. Photo: Constantine Ongarezos, NBN Co.
E ssence
8 | PENINSULA
February 2021