The Domremy Story - Wandana Art Project


20th September 2016
Over the last couple of weeks everyone at Domremy College has been busily involved in the creation of a beautiful artwork with the assistance of the Wandana Project and overseen by the College’s Visual Arts Co-ordinator, ...

THE DOMREMY STORY - PAINTING SCHOOL STORY - WANDANA ABORIGINAL ART PROJECT

Over the last couple of weeks everyone at Domremy College has been busily involved in the creation of a beautiful artwork with the assistance of the Wandana Project and overseen by the College’s Visual Arts Co-ordinator, Gabriel Connell.

Julngkul Warma, aboriginal for Painting School Story, is a painting representing our school’s story.

It has been a privilege to work with local indigenous tutors from Wandana Aboriginal Education & Events who led us in this project", said Prinicipal, Vivienne Awad. "They have helped us to create the true essence of the College in painting, while at the same time allowing our students to experience Aboriginal culture through art. Our history, core values, symbols, and connections with our community and student body are all represented in this artwork.” 

The project and its significance is particularly apt given this year’s Theme for National Reconciliation Week 2016 which was Our History, Our Story, Our Future.

At the outset the school community was invited at a special assembly to take part in a traditional Aboriginal blessing, smoking and face painting ceremony, as part of the opening of the project. Students and staff had the opportunity to have their faces painted with ochre which, it was explained, for hundreds of years has been and continues to be sourced locally from Bondi. A smoking ceremony then followed, where native gum leaves were placed in a Coolamon, an Aboriginal carrying vessel, as part of the spiritual and symbolic custom bringing peace and harmony.

Students and staff all had the chance to create a tangible piece of the school’s history, leaving their mark on a large canvas by dot painting, a unique style of indigenous Aboriginal art works. At the start of each group’s painting session the indigenous tutors explained the significance of the artwork and the motifs in the artwork which link it specifically to the Domremy College community.

Alongside the creation of the communal artwork, students were also taken on a cultural journey by the Wandana tutors. They learned about the cultural significance of Aboriginal artefacts which were shown to the students, including a demonstration on the use of boomerangs. This explanation in turn provided the inspiration for the students to then create their own personal journey stones, which they were able to keep.

The artwork has been completed and now hangs proudly in the College’s Mary McKillop building for all to admire and as a constant reminder of the rich history and traditions of the College.

Unpacking The Domremy Story

The painting represents the school as a whole, where every student, teacher and staff member painted a few dots onto the work with the guidance of the Wandana Project tutors.

The painting itself contains many significant elements which symbolise the values and history of Domremy College.

As you stand at the top of the stairs to the Mary McKillop building, you are immediately drawn to the cross in the centre of the artwork, which symbolises a point of communication between heaven and earth, as well as the tree of life and nourishment.

From there the green represents the College’s circular driveway and heritage gates that welcome visitors to the College community.

The oval shape in the shield derives its symbolism from the patron, St Joan of Arc, who carried a shield into battle, as well as representing protection of feminine power.

The oval shape is also representative of the silver ring worn by the Presentation Sisters, which was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1855. With the letters ‘PBVM’ standing for ‘Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ in the centre, the painting serves to connect the Domremy community with Aboriginal culture by designing these letters into the shape of a traditional Aboriginal shield.

The 12 U shapes around the oval represent the original 12 students of the College when it was founded in 1911.

The colours:

  • Navy blue - makes reference to the original navy blue uniform, as well as the qualities of truth, intellect, wisdom, loyalty and peace, which the College promotes in the life of students.
  • Gold - symbolises divine power, enlightenment and God’s light
  • Red - represents love, joy, faith, power and dignity
  • Yellow dots - radiating from the centre, represent Nano Nagle’s lantern as it continues to shine true for the College community.

Through the application of Aboriginal dot painting, techniques and symbols, combined with elements symbolising Domremy heritage and values, the artwork functions to bring together the wider Domremy community and increases the recognition and appreciation of the local Aboriginal connection to the land.

The project not only created a stunning artwork, but has greater significance – it has continued to add to the fabric of rich traditions of the College by capturing a moment in time in which all members of Domremy College 2016 were involved - a lasting piece of history.

 

 

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