9 May 2013
This mural depicts Aboriginal history from the dreaming to present
Nungoo Ngich Dunga Ngich, ‘See me hear me’ in the Nyungar language, is the title of a DVD being produced through the WA Dementia Training Study Centre. The film documents the story of, and lessons learned during a project to use art as a medium for cultural awareness education.
Ron Gidgup, an Aboriginal artist experienced in the use of art for community development with Aboriginal communities led a team comprising of staff and residents from Hall and Prior’s Windsor Park Nursing Home in Perth and the WA Dementia Training Study Centre to engage the fifteen Aboriginal residents and their families to design and create three large pieces of art to depict their cultural history and perspectives.
This mural depicts kinship, language, unity and the continuing growth and solidity of community
Art is a non-verbal language that connects ideas and knowledge both implicitly and explicitly. As a culture without a written language art, music and storytelling are strong traditions for Aboriginal people. By removing as far as possible the overlay of western social and medical perspectives encouraged the essence of Aboriginal culture and experience to surface and altered the power differences between residents and staff.
The three murals are public and visible reminders to everyone who lives, works and visits Windsor Park of the significance of Aboriginal culture. As a focus they are also used for impromptu learning opportunities with staff and visitors.
The DVD, filmed and produced by Tuco Films is due for completion in June, 2013.
This piece, a fabric mural, celebrates the role of women in Aboriginal culture and daily life.
