Damien Wright and Bonhula Yunupingu, Dhanparr Garak lights 1 and 2, 2024, 10,000 year old Ancient red gum, Gadayka (Darwin Stringybark), Copper Wire, Led light, Tung oil finish. Photographed by Bernie Wright.
The collaborative work that Bonhula Yunupingu and Damien Wright presented feels particularly pertinent—a First Nations Australian artist from North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, and a white Australian artist from Redcliffe, Queensland, working side by side. “Bonhula has gone back and investigated the early designs and purpose of ceremonial poles, and the two of them have worked to make a contemporary version, turning it into a light,” Dan-Cuthbert explains. “When you go on Country you usually approach a fire and you ask to come on their land—it’s part of a greeting and warmth. Whereas Damien has said in his culture, being a non-Indigenous artist and person, that fire is more often a warning; it’s something that’s scary. They try and bring it together and mould the pieces to retell their combined stories, really wanting to unite and not be about either Indigenous or non-Indigenous. It’s about a way forward that we can work in this country and I think that’s really important.”
