• Culture

Celebrating country and culture: National Reconciliation Week

In honour of National Reconciliation Week — a celebration of Australia’s Indigenous people and culture — we’re calling out some of our favourite contemporary Indigenous artists, designers and collaborations right now.

 

Reko Rennie

Sydneysiders may know of Rennie’s work via his loud and proud reimagining of T2, a landmark building on Taylor Square in the heart of Sydney. Emblazoned with the words Always was, Always will be,the temporary artwork that wrapped the building mixed a cocktail of contemporary colours — vivid pink, blue and black — with geometric patterns reminiscent of the traditional markings of Rennie’s ancestors, the Kamilaroi people of north-western NSW. From a graffitied Rolls Royce, which Rennie drove across the desert (see the spectacular video here) to lighting up the exterior of the Sydney Opera House the artist’s trademark mix of heritage with new, often hip-hop and street art references is as refreshing as it is poignant and inspirational. rekorennie.com

 

The PET Lamp project

This stunning collaboration with Indigenous weavers in Arnhem Land and Spanish designer Alvaro Catalan de Ocon has already been on show at the National Gallery of Victoria and Milan’s famous Rossana Orlandi Gallery. The elaborate lampshade forms part of Catalan de Ocon’s PET Lamp project, which works with indigenous weavers from around the world to cleverly recycle PET plastic bottles by incorporating them into unique handcrafted lampshades created with traditional weaving techniques. petlamp.org/australia

 

Lucy Simpson’s Reflection Pods, Westpac, Sydney

Sydney-based Indigenous designer Lucy Simpson’s cocoon-like Reflection Pods in the recently renovated Westpac bank headquarters in Kent Street are inspired by the strong women and saltwater story of the city’s traditional Indigenous matriarchy. The work of 21 artists and weavers the hand-woven pods span up to three metres and took three months to complete in a collaboration with design retailer, Koskela and the people of Elcho Island Arts and Milingimbi Art and Culture in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Simpson, who runs her own contemporary Indigenous design studio, Gaawaa Miya says, “It’s a beautiful example of the ways in which design and handmade objects can embody and be an extension of the people who made it and the place from which it is made.” @gimiyay