Mural adventure proves a true opportunity to See Tomorrow

30 April, 2020

What started as a mural project has spread beyond the two-dimensional into a permanent interactive form of hope for the leaders of the future.

Nagami-Li Nugurrugu (To See Tomorrow) was the inspiration of Gunnedah Shire Indigenous artistis Jack Conlan and Renee Horne.

Their idea, which Gunnedah Shire Council fostered with funding through Regional Arts NSW’s Country Arts Support Program (CASP), coincided with a call from Gunnedah Public School for an Indigenous mural to transform the school. Sixty percent of students at the school identify as being Indigenous.

Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley said it had been wonderful to see this project blossom into a truly inspirational adventure that had gone way beyond original plans.

“There are now two huge and wonderful murals – including a sensory mural in the playground – that feature Dreamtime stories and symbols, native flora and fauna, and depictions of local sacred and significant sites,” Ms Mackley said.

“School students and staff worked so well with these two artists that the project expanded to include a bush tucker garden for the students to nurture and learn about native foods and flora, and an indigenous learning site for teachers to host cultural learnings that is also a quiet reflective space for students to explore.

“During NAIDOC Week in 2019, the school worked on clay leaves and other three-dimensional aspects to be included in the playground mural. The students and Renee Horne created an artwork that allows our future leaders to trace our local history with their hands as they trace dreamtime symbols and significant sites with their fingertips, throughout the sensory mural.”

Artist Jack Conlan created a 1.5m x 20m painted mural that includes large gates painted with the Gamilarray symbol for meeting place as well as other sacred sites and symbols.

“The project has changed the landscape of the school but has also enabled students to develop a sense of pride in their cultural knowledge,” Ms Mackley said.

“This project was led by our indigenous artists’ knowledge and a willingness to share culture, fostering student engagement and a proud youth voice.”

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.