KAMBARNI, GNAALA KARLA BOOJA, 2020
Location: 42 Johnston St, Collie
“’Gnaala Karla Booja’. This is the title of the work, it is also the name of the region that encompasses the towns of Capel, Donnybrook, Balingup, Wickepin, Narrogin, Williams, Mundijong, Kwinana, Brookton, Pingelly, Wagin, Harvey, Collie, Pinjarra, Mandurah and Boddington. It translates roughly to ‘Our Home Land’ in Noongar. Karla refers to ‘home’ but also to ‘fire’ which is why the mural colours of red and yellow were chosen. The fire coloured patterns seem quite random at first but eventually reveal a lot more, much like looking into a campfire on a dark night. Animals, endemic to the region their relationships as well as Noongar cultural practices of the area, constantly reveal and hide themselves within the artwork.” Kambarni
About the artist:
Kamsani Bin Salleh (Kambarni) is descended from the Ballardong Noongar people and Nimunburr and Yawuru people of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. He is an artist who reflects the natural world with his intricate designs and graphically interprets designs from both pre-colonial and post-colonial Australian histories. Re-telling old stories or creating new narratives through community engagement. In 2018 Kamsani was named WA’s Young Person of the Year and was awarded the Mission Australia Cultural Endeavours Award.
Images: Taj Kempe
Video: Studio Orange
THE COLLIE MURAL TRAIL
