Boorun’s Canoe celebrates the traditions of Victorian Aboriginal culture and intergenerational knowledge.
Boorun’s Canoe is a new exhibition at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Melbourne Museum, which opened last week as part of NAIDOC week.
The exhibition tells the story of how Senior Gunai/Kurnai Elder Uncle Albert Mullett taught his grandson, Steaphan Paton, and other young men in his family, to build a bark canoe, an age old tradition that has been practiced for many years by the Gunai/Kurnai people of Gippsland.
The exhibition is a photo-documentary showcasing a series of wonderfully crafted black and white images taken by photographic artist Cam Cope. The large black and white images stretch across the wall, chronologically capturing the canoe’s creation and its floating by Steaphan and his family. The actual bark canoe proudly sits on display beside the photo presentation, having been acquired by Museum Victoria as part of the Indigenous Cultures collection.
This exhibition presents the strength and pride of cultural knowledge being passed through generations and the vital importance of community maintaining and teaching culture. A must see.
Boorun’s Canoe at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
6 July 2012 – 4 November 2012, 10am-5pm daily (Adults $10, children and concessions FREE)
Image credits: Cam Cope
