Teamm8 Gali Briefs

Buna Gal – beach or sand (people of the sand)

This artwork is associated with the lands of the Worimi Aboriginal people, on the east-coast of Australia. 

Worimi country is home to the largest moving sand dunes in the southern hemisphere. The piece speaks to community, and how these sand dunes and the coast encompass much of Worimi country. 

In Jake’s artwork the different sized and shaped grains emulate both the individualistic nature of sand, and the differences in individuals that form part of the Worimi mob. Each grain comes together to build something beautiful and greater than if on its own.

In place of colour are the shades black and white, incorporated to represent day and night. The dualism of these shades speaks to rebirth and transformation.

Worimi Waves

This artwork is associated with the land, sea and skies of the Worimi Aboriginal people on the east-coast of Australia. 

In traditional Aboriginal culture the skyscape was believed to be a reflection of the land and waterways that fell beneath it. Some Aboriginal communities would describe the galactical Milky Way as a river running through the sky.

In Jake’s artwork the vibrant ‘waves’ of colour are symbolic of the salt and fresh waters of Worimi country. The kaleidoscopic colour palette emulates a rainbow, reflecting this astral connection between Worimi country and the heavens. Dots and lines move through each wave as a symbolic representation of energy flowing in harmony between the aerial, aquatic and terrestrial plains.

Birriwal – Brave,  strong warrior

This artwork symbolises the traditional hunting styles of the Worimi people. 

Hunting was recognised as important work and the calm and muted nature of the hunt is reflected through the pastel colour pallet. The mix of blues, purples and pinks speaks to the soft and gentle poise of the hunters, only communicating through touch and sign so as not to startle their prey. 

Each hunter is represented by a ‘U’ shape, all turned in different directions as they scan the bush for animal trackings. These hunters possessed detailed knowledge of animal behavior and the little thin lines throughout the artwork are symbolic of the animal tracks the hunters would follow. Dots throughout the piece represent the geographical checkpoints these hunters would use to orientate themselves. 

A mix of L-shapes and wavy lines are illustrative of the traditional hunting weapons and tactics used. Hunters would throw the L-shaped straight flying “hunting boomerangs” at birds from at least 80 meters away, the speed of the boomerang hitting the bird before it could escape. Aboriginal peoples advanced understanding and control of fire and the bush is demonstrated through the thick wavy lines throughout the artwork that represent the use of fire to smoke out and corner animals before making the kill.