Ngalambay pays homage to Campbelltown’s Minerva Billabong, a sacred Dharawal women’s business and birthing site, and Aunty Kay Bussell, a Custodian of Traditional Water Cleansing Ceremony who shared her Tradition and knowledge with the Campbelltown Community.
Artist Statement
By Maddison Gibbs & Danielle Mate
Ngalambay is a site-specific immersive portal through time and space. Linking water, mother, country, Minerva pools a significant Dharawal women's birthing site. The journey begins tracing the lyrebird footsteps as they lead you to water cleansing. The opening of the underpass references the Minerva pools rock formations . The gum leaves perform a water cleansing ceremony, this ceremony is performed for healing , transformation and cleansing. The silver paint drops shower over the wall shimmering and glistening in the sunshine as it does at the pools and in the ceremony the first site of the newborn babies. The shimmers reference shooting stars, shadows, purity. The next part of the journey invites the viewer to reflect and transform , breathe and connect. You are taken on an underwater journey with spectres of light and shadow . The underwater journey pays respect to the women who carry baby 9 months underwater.
The background splatter effect is a contemporary ‘Cave painting “effect. One of the first artworks in the world paying homage to our old people and Aboriginal culture one of the oldest culture on the world. The painted motifs on the wall refence gum tree bark pattens ,canoes, fish, eels, water ripples, figures of women at the pools, the men standing watch for protection around the pools tracks and landscapes. The painted surface is complimented with semi circle coloured lights that create the sense of water and galaxies talking to the journey and transformation of life and death. In Aboriginal culture the journey of the spirit goes to the sky and forms the constellations. Iridescent acrylic sheets with the ripple designs are used to pick up light and recreate the falling of the water drops creating a magical flickers of shadow and light. As you pass though the underwater cultural journey, we encourage reflection, introspection and regeneration focusing on cycles of life and slowing down to listen , engage enjoy each moment.
With special thanks to Aunty Annette Houston, Aunty Doris Williams, Aunty Karen Austin, Aunty Michelle Hailes, Tina Taylor, Aunty Glenda Chalker and Jo Tanginoa for their contributions.
Commissioned by Campbelltown City Council, 2024.
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Transport NSW’s Places to Love program.
This project was fabricated by Curio Projects.