Guruwaal is a collaborative, integrated work guided by Aboriginal Knowledge Holders and Custodians of the area local to UNSW. Uncle Greg Simms (artist), Aunty Marjorie Dixon (cultural advisor) and Uncle Assen China Timbery (cultural advisor) worked with Danièle Hromek (curator) to interpret narratives and deep histories of Country embedded within the local Aboriginal community.
Guruwaal means ‘whale’ in local language, spelled like this to show how it is said. The overarching story tells about the local mob, the saltwater people, and their totem, the whale. The whale bones on the concrete represent the design the La Perouse community uses to paint themselves up for ceremony and dance. The animals on the wooden stairs belong to this place, revealing that the site used to be swampy—bitterwater—sitting between salt and freshwater. Nearby is freshwater for drinking. The animals are journeying from saltwater to fresh through the brackish water. This is a meeting place bringing people together from many places.
Guruwaal is situated in the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, an important ecological community of this area. The scrub is returning as a reminder of the importance of including spaces for non-humans to inhabit places that have become covered by concrete, brick and glass.
The artists wanted all who visit this place to know that Aboriginal peoples—students, staff, visitors—have belonging here, as do all who come to this place.
The broader project has been awarded a number of local and international awards.
Guruwaal Stories
Just as the integrated artwork Guruwaal draws upon the narratives and histories of the local Aboriginal community, these stories are connected to the knowledges of place and the deep histories of Country that are embedded within the community.
The whale totem of the local mob reflects their heritage as saltwater people. These stories capture elements of the life and community of the Aboriginal people of La Perouse, and reflect their traditions and histories.
These stories are generously shared by Aboriginal Knowledge Holders and Custodians of the area local to UNSW. They may be heard from the bleachers of Alumni Park, designed as a meeting place that brings people together from many places.
Guruwaal Story – Art and Artefacts
Djinjama honours our connections to Country, community, culture and kin through our work. Djinjama’s projects actively interact with lands, waters and air, and as such we actively protect the rights of Country to be healthy in our work. We respect Traditional Custodians who have long cared for Country and aim to elevate First Voices in all our work. We are grateful to Elders and Knowledge Holders for their continued sharing of wisdom, story, language, and knowledge.
