Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool
Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool is a powerful cultural object full of sound, story, intercultural collaboration and reconciliation.
In 2016 Tura facilitated the Tura Wreck Residency Project with composer and sound artist Jon Rose and the Lombadina and Djarindjin communities.
After the success of this unique collaboration, in 2017 an old car wreck was converted into a sonic sculpture and instrument by Jon Rose in collaboration with the Warmun Community as part of Tura’s Regional Residency Program. Collaborative performance presentations by Gija adults and students on the Warmun joonba grounds created with this sonic sculpture became a significant moment of community celebration.
The following year Tura commissioned Gija artists including Shirley Purdie, Gordon Barney, Nancy Nodea, Lindsay Malay, Gabriel Nodea, Mark Nodea, Eddie Nulgit and Charlene Carrington to paint a series of stories on Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool, creating a tapestry of story old and new.
In 2020, the WA Museum acquired Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool with all video and audio documentation of the project so far including rare interviews with artists and performances of the sound sculpture. This acquisition further established Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool’s cultural significance to Australia.
Since this time, Tura has continued to work closely with community performers and story tellers to develop The Journey Down a vibrant performance and celebration of dance, song, projections and otherworldly sound which features Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool.
In 2023, The Journey Down will tour from Kununurra to Perth through the the expanse of regional Western Australia.
Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool’s arrival in Perth marks its next chapter as it takes its place as part of Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip’s temporary exhibition in late 2023 and permanent collection in 2024, where it will be experienced by visitors from across the globe.
Gija Artists
Shirley Purdie
Visual Artist
Gordon Barney
Visual Artist
Nancy Nodea
Visual Artist
Lindsay Malay
Visual Artist
Gabriel Nodea
Visual Artist
Eddie Nulgit
Visual Artist
Charlene Carrington
Visual Artist
Mark Nodea
Visual Artist
Jon Rose
Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool Sound Sculpture Concept and Creation
For nearly four decades, Jon Rose has been at the sharp edge of new and improvised music in Australia. He is a violinist, instrument maker, software developer, composer, performer, provocateur and innovator. He has recorded a vast and impressive body of work and has performed and exhibited around the world. Jon’s influence as a musical maverick and innovator is appreciated worldwide...Read more.
Warmun Art Centre is owned and governed by Gija people with 100% of income returning to the community. The centre was established in 1998 by the late founding members of the contemporary painting movement in Warmun such as Rover Thomas, Queenie McKenzie, Madigan Thomas and Hector Jandany. These elders recognised and responded to the need for a community owned and controlled centre through which they could support, maintain and promote Gija art, language and culture.
Warmun Art is here to celebrate and encourage the expression of Gija culture through the arts, and to support the continued development of innovative contemporary art by both established and emerging Warmun artists.
Produced by Tura in collaboration with Warmun Art Centre, Warmun Community Inc & Ngalangangpum School & East Kimberley Job Pathways.
The creation and development of Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool has been supported by the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries, the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund, Healthway and the Ian Potter Foundation
Images by Bodan Warchomij and Jessica Wyld
Tura acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and create. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. With solidarity and friendship we say thank you.
