Wirin - Public Art Yagan Square, Perth CBD, WA
'Wirin' is the Bibbulmun/Whudjuk Noongar word for spirit, It is the eternal sacred force of creative power that unites and connects all life of Boodjah (Earth) - our Mother.
My 'Wirin' design expresses this cultural spiritual knowledge in a tall, strong, 'suggestive yet unmistakable' Aboriginal figure with smooth contemporary lines.
His 'Gidji' (spear) on one side and 'Mirro' (spear thrower) on the other are seamlessly fused with his arms and connect his line to the earth, depicting the unity and connective continuity of spirit.
His powerful presence offers the public audience an interactive visual, visceral experience of these inseparable, inherent cultural values which represent the ancient Cultural law and reciprocal relationship of nature worshipping.
These are the cultural values within cultural Law that our 38 year old Bibbulmun/Whudjuk Noongar warrior ‘Yagan’ and his father ‘Mitjigooroo’, fought so fearlessly to protect during the Swan River Colony in 1833.
Our traditional custodians accumulated cultural knowledge and responsibilities, passed down over thousands of years, on particular specific care for country, that in turn, provides and cares for all life.
This design signifies our people’s longevity in the spirit of our Culture.
The 9 metre statue of Wirin is located in a presiding position within Yagan Square; his face turned towards the north where he is exposed to the maximum sunlight. 'Ngangk' is our word for 'Sun' and also 'Mother'. Wirin watches the sun arc across the sky, and, like a guardian spirit of the site, looks out from the grassy terrace and the bustle of human activity within. He creates a strong entry figure for Yagan Square - the 'heart' of the city of Perth and signals the importance of the place to all.
Prior to the statue of Wirin being raised into place the elders and community leaders performed a traditional Noongar smoking ceremony.
In the time that has passed since Wirin was installed, interaction with nature's elements has transformed it's surface providing a rich bronzed patina to the sculpture.
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