Coffs Harbour City Council is calling upon Gumbaynggirr artists to submit artworks that will form the Gumbaynggirr Art Trail within the new Yarrila Place building on Gordon Street.
The Art Trail follows and is aligned to “The Track”, a way-finding and architectural element within the building, devised by Kaurareg and Meriam architect Kevin O’Brien of BVN Architecture in collaboration with Council and the wider Gumbaynggirr community.
“Our conversations with the Gumbaynggirr community have been very positive around Yarrila Place, from the official building naming process all the way through to the first art exhibition set to open at YAM,” said Jo Besley, Gallery and Museum Curator at Council.
“This Art Trail is yet another way we can showcase and celebrate the deep history and culture of the Gumbaynggirr Nation.”
The Track is a narrative of Gumbaynggirr people, with 20 potential locations in Gumbaynggirr Country referenced along the way. These place names have been determined by traditional knowledge holders from the six clan groups. One artwork will be chosen from each clan, and is open to Gumbaynggirr artists who are living on and off Country.
The Art Trail is planned as an ongoing program with the artworks updated every three to five years, to animate the public spaces of the building and provide continuing opportunities for Gumbaynggirr artists.
The EOI process is being managed by Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation, a 100% Aboriginal owned and run not-for-profit based in Bowraville and working with the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti, Biripi and Worimi Nations of the Mid North Coast of NSW.
“Saltwater Freshwater are excited to be working alongside the project team at Council to deliver these artworks celebrating the six clans of the Gumbaynggirr Nation,” said Jane Tavener, Program Director at SWFW.
“We are pleased to have Gumbaynggirr artists included and showcased in the new Yarrila Place and looking forward to receiving expressions of interest from across the Nation.”
The EOI is open now and closes on 30 November 2021, after which the successful artists will be notified and proceed to the next steps. Installation of artworks will take place in June 2022.
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