Walawaani Muriyira-Waraga (Safe journey whale – many)
Artist: Gwiyaala Aboriginal Art, Bronwen Smith (Walbunja Woman) and Gavin Chatfield (Wiradjuri Man)
Knowing that the whale tail will be auctioned off and proceeds will go to charity, the front of Bronwen and Gavin’s Whale Tail displays a contemporary Aboriginal art style. “We have incorporated bright colours as a reflection of hoping children specifically connect with our colourful story of the journey of the whale. Walawaani Muriyira-Waraga means ‘safe journey whale – many’ in the Dhurga language”.
The back of Bronwen and Gavin’s Whale Tail displays a traditional Aboriginal artwork design of the migration of whales travelling down the far south coast of NSW past Walbunja country. “The dots represent the ripples along the ocean as they travel south, while the fish in the sand are painted to show the whales’ food source on their journey. The blue and the black represent the depth of the ocean and how far the whales travel back and forth past Walbunja country”.
Gwiyaala Aboriginal Art, Bronwen Smith (Walbunja Woman) and Gavin Chatfield (Wiradjuri Man)
Bronwen and Gavin have completed a Cert III in Cultural Arts and Identity and will continue a Cert IV in Screen and Media in 2023. They are inspired to continuously paint and tell stories of our culture and traditions as Aboriginal people. “We want Australian people and people from all over the world to connect with and understand Aboriginal peoples stories, kinship and traditions”.
75,000 native trees and shrubs were planted on this re-created harbour headland, including Sydney golden wattle and gymea lily. Both these plants, when they flowered, were indicators for First Australians that the whales were starting their migration – an ancient signal for the women who would sing to the whales to wish them safe passage and birth for their calves.
In recent decades whales have frequently been seen in Sydney Harbour during their migrations north and south along the coast. Only a decade ago a mother and calf swam back and forth along Darling Harbour, and another pair performed courtship rituals in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge, much to the amazement of ferry commuters!
First Nations Audio Narrative: With thanks to our Indigenous Cultural Advisors, Aunty Jo Selfe and Uncle Graham Toomey, and special contributors who have generously shared important stories of place. Listen to the First Nations Audio Narrative here.
Charity Auction
Love Whale Tales? Want to keep one?
You can! After the Waterfront Whale Tales trail concludes, all 30 sculptures will be offered for purchase at a dedicated art auction at Sydney Maritime Museum, Terrace Room.
The net proceeds from the auction will go to The Kids’ Cancer Project.
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