Moorditj Gnalla Boodja – ‘Our Excellent Country’
Maitland Hill’s Art Exhibition showcases the seasonal lifestye of the Nyoongar hunter-gatherers in Western Australia. He celebrated his work, visions and aspirations with partners and supporters in Dwellingup on Saturday 16. Nov.
In contrast to the ‘classic’ four seasons aligned with the Earth’s orbit, many Aboriginal cultural groups, including the Nyoongar people in WA’s South West region, celebrate six calendar seasons which are not strictly anchored to dates, but to the forces of nature.
“I have chosen to feature the Nyoongar Six Seasons in this exhibition to show how my people lived a sustainable life in harmony with Boodja (country). We lived according to a changeable six seasons weather pattern that dictated where the most abundant food source would be. Our spiritual connection to our land and the animals ensured that we only took what we needed, so that we maintained a balance in all things”.
The Exhibition runs from 8th – 24th November at the MONART Design Studio, 58 McClarty Street, Dwellingup, WA.
Maitland’s business ‘Kaarak Dreaming’ also features cultural tours, native bush medicine, bush foods, forest discovery tours, Aboriginal language, consultancy and ceremony.
“Culture and nature are very important to Aboriginal people, so my work is mostly about landscapes, traditions and traditional images of our people – it is an expression and revival of my cultural identity which I invite others to share and explore with me”.
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