'barangga' is an ongoing community engagement program that celebrates design and making practices as a vital form of cultural knowledge in First Nations Communities. Taking place on Bidjigal and Gadigal Country, this year's two-day gathering focuses on designing for and with Country, and considers how Cultural Custodians transform the precious for the public realm.
Led by Nicole Monks, Coby Edgar and Zoe Sims, the gathering hopes to spark future collaborations, create support networks and opportunities for open dialogue, help define best practices, and build a national First Nations design Community.
The project’s title is drawn from the Dharawal word ‘barangga’ meaning ‘large vessel’ or ‘island’. It speaks to the significance of design and making in First Nations practices, while embodying the notion of holding space for Community.
Uncle Les McLeod performing a Smoking Ceremony.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Uncle Les McLeod performing a Smoking Ceremony with Zoe Sims.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Coby Edgar and Aunty Maxine Ryan.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Kaylie Salvatori, Designing with Country.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Teangi Brown, Megan Cope, Aunty Maxine Ryan, and Kaylie Salvatori, Designing with Country.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Debra Beale, Sharyn Egan, Djon Mundine OAM, and Zoe Sims, Connecting with Country on Someone Else’s Country.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Tyson Frigo, Supporting One Another, Working with Community.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Sharyn Egan weaving adornments.
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
'Barangga: First Nations Design Gathering', UNSW Galleries, 2024.
Photograph: Jake Keane
Schedule
Day One
Friday 25 October 2024
(For First Nations participants only)
The Day One program is designed to invite unrestricted conversation among First Nations creatives working in the public realm. Presentations and panel discussions with leading First Nations designers, practitioners, and institutional representatives will focus on best practices for designing with Country, working on someone else’s Country, respectful collaboration, and consultation with Community.
9.00am Welcome To Country
Aunty Maxine Ryan
La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council
9.15am Introduction
Coby Edgar
9.30am Designing with Country
Teangi Brown, Megan Cope, Aunty Maxine Ryan, and Kaylie Salvatori
Learn about acts of caring for Country that have supported healing and regeneration for both Community and Country.
10.30am Morning Tea
Courtesy of Plate Events & Catering
11.00am Connecting with Country on Someone Else’s Country
Debra Beale, Sharyn Egan, Djon Mundine OAM, and Zoe Sims
Discuss the complexities of Community consultation and collaboration with local Custodians when working on someone else’s Country.
12.00pm Lunch
Courtesy of Plate Events & Catering
1.00pm Public Art(ists)
Maddison Gibbs, Dylan Mooney, Lisa Waup, and Jason Wing
Hear insights from First Nations artists about their experiences in creating public art, including challenges faced and lessons learned.
2.00pm Afternoon Tea
Courtesy of Plate Events & Catering
2.30pm Supporting One Another, Working with Community
Coby Edgar, Tyson Frigo, B Hardy, and Aunty Sue Pinkham
Explore the significance of collaborative methodologies and respectful consultation when developing projects with and for Community.
3.30pm Closing Thoughts
Nicole Monks
4.00pm Catch Up Event
Join us at UNSW Galleries for drinks and pizza
Catering by Arthouse Kitchen
6.00pm Finish
Day Two
Saturday 26 October 2024
(Open to everyone)
The Day Two program aims to facilitate respectful and honest discussions between First Nations and non-First Nations participants working across public art initiatives. Together they will reflect on the opportunities and tensions that arise across contracting, policy, and stakeholder collaboration in the implementation and delivery of public art projects.
9.00am Welcome to Country
Aunty Maxine Ryan
La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council
9.10am Smoking Ceremony
Uncle Les Mcleod
9.30am Connecting with Country: Policy & Implementation
Megan Cope, Elle Davidson, Daniéle Hromek, Lily Keenan, Rory Toomey, and Bridgette Uren
Explore the intersection of government policy, architecture, and independent practices when engaging First Nations creatives in the public art sector.
10.30am Morning Tea
Courtesy of Plate Events & Catering
11.00am Public Art Do-ers
Lisa Corsi, Ineke Dane, Shannon Foster, Deborah Lennis, Nicole Monks, and Christiane Keys Statham
Learn about effective team building, advocacy, and the importance of compromise when developing and implementing public art initiatives.
12.00pm Lunch
Courtesy of Plate Events & Catering
1.00pm FFS! Unpacking Pressure Points
Caroline Comino, Bradley Kerr, Matte Ager-McConnell, Nicholas Smith, and Katarina Vrdoljack
Navigate the challenges and tensions that may occur when creating, facilitating, and presenting First Nations practices for the public domain.
2.00pm Afternoon Tea
Courtesy of Plate Events & Catering
2.30pm Stakeholder Collaboration
Bibi Barba, Louise Buckingham, Elizabeth Lewis, Georgia Mokak, Maddison Gibbs, and Jason Wing
Receive practical tips for early-career designers on entering the public art sector, with insights on processes, contract rights, and protocols.
3.30pm Closing Thoughts
Tyson Frigo
4.00pm Finish
The Barangga Team
NICOLE MONKS
Project Lead
Nicole Monks is a multi-disciplinary creative of Yamaji, Wajarri, Dutch, and English heritage, living and working on Worimi and Awabakal Country (Newcastle). Nicole’s practice is informed by her cross-cultural identity, using storytelling to connect the past with the present and future. Her works take a conceptual approach that aim to promote conversation and connection. Nicole is the founder of design practice blackandwhite creative as well as public art company mili mili.
COBY EDGAR
Program Curator
Coby Edgar is a curator and proud Larrakia, Jingili, and Anglo woman from the Northern Territory, currently living and working on Gadigal Country. From 2022–23 Coby was Curator, Strategic Projects First Nations at Powerhouse Museum, Sydney and is currently Creative Advisor and Strategic Partnerships at Agency Projects, Naarm/Melbourne.
ZOE SIMS
Creative Producer
Zoe Sims is a proud Koori woman, living on Darug Country with a passion for First Nations design facilitation. Zoe has worked with First Nations artists and art centre partners across a range of collaborations including exhibitions and corporate commissions at the intersection of art and design. Zoe is currently Project Manager, First Nations Arts and Culture at Creative Australia First, and is undertaking a Masters of Curating and Cultural Leadership at UNSW Art & Design.
Acknowledgments
‘barangga: First Nations Design’ is presented in partnership with UNSW Galleries and UNSW Art & Design. The program is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
If you have any questions about this event, please get in touch with Zoe Sims at zoejsims@outlook.com or Catherine Woolley at c.woolley@unsw.edu.au.
