New Aboriginal multi-media artwork for Barangaroo

A unique multi-media artwork celebrating the strength, vibrancy and continuity of local Aboriginal people and their culture will be launched on Saturday, 11 March with a series of activities at Barangaroo Reserve from 2:00pm, culminating in a twilight ceremony on Stargazer Lawn at 7:00pm.

Barangaroo Ngangamay has been created by renowned Aboriginal multi-media artists and curators, Genevieve Grieves and Amanda Jane Reynolds, and is an innovative artwork embedded within the iconic Sydney sandstone of Barangaroo Reserve and accessible on mobile devices via a downloadable app.

The work is the result of a year-long collaboration between the artists and the local Aboriginal community through workshops with Elders and members of Sydney clans, and neighbours from the north, south and west.

Amanda Jane Reynolds said: “Barangaroo Ngangamay honours and brings to life the teachings of the Old Lady Barangaroo. She is a beacon of strength and culture for all Aboriginal people, and our aim with this work is to show visitors the deep and ongoing connections Aboriginal women of Sydney have to this place.”

The artwork features five rock engravings, known as petroglyphs, which have been hand-carved into five sandstone rocks around Barangaroo Reserve by male Aboriginal Elders Vic Simms, Steven Russell and Laurie Bimson using manual hand tools such as stones, mallets and chisels.

The engravings act as a key to unlock a series of mesmerising short films depicting the life cycles of the sun, moon and women. Each film will be accessible to visitors to Barangaroo Reserve through their smartphone or tablet using a geo-location app, which plays the films when approaching the engravings.

Genevieve Grieves said: “We feel honoured to have been given this opportunity to share the stories and culture of Aboriginal people through this place and the powerful medium of film. Aboriginal culture is strong and vibrant – and this work gives everyone who visits Barangaroo a chance to know something of its importance to Aboriginal people.”

Sandra Bender, the Barangaroo Delivery Authority Executive Director, Activation and Precinct Management, said: “Barangaroo Ngangamay is a unique and authentic Aboriginal cultural experience, using modern-day technology to tell ancient stories of the world’s oldest living culture. The Authority is proud and delighted to be able to share this work.”

Barangaroo Ngangamay will run throughout 2017 and the petroglyphs will be on permanent display at Barangaroo Reserve. It is the first project developed under the Barangaroo Artistic Associates Program and is funded under the Barangaroo Public Art and Cultural Plan.

The Barangaroo Ngangamay launch event on 11 March coincides with the autumn Blak Markets at Barangaroo Reserve, to be held for the first time on a Saturday afternoon on Stargazer Lawn from 2:00pm to 8:00pm. The markets feature more than 20 stalls selling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, crafts, bushfoods and more.

The free Barangaroo Ngangamay app for iOS and Android devices will be live from 11 March and will be available for download in the days prior to the launch.

For more information please visit www.barangaroo.sydney.

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MEDIA QUERIES:
Sarah Shields, Access PR, 02 9292 7007 | 0408 283 091 | sarah@accesspr.com.au  
Emma Reyes, Access PR, 02 9292 7006 | 0424 425 813 | emmar@accesspr.com.au