walwunmutj : september ‘20
This mica and feldspar mix, named ‘Walwunmutj,’ by contributor Lorraine Brigdale, is named for the Yorta Yorta word that means ‘to shine.’ Walwunmutj was foraged by Lorraine on the traditional lands of the Jaara Jaara people of the Dja Dja Warrung, with permission from a Jaara elder, at the White Swan Crystal Mine in Kooyoora State Park in Victoria, Australia. The White Swan pegmatite was mined for quartz during WWII for industrial and gem quality quartz, and contains quartz and feldspar with plumose muscovite. The Park is in ancient volcanic Quartz country and has abundant large granite boulders scattered everywhere, which look as if they rained down from above.
While not technically a “pigment,” as it’s colorless, the Walwunmutj flakes add sparkle and shine when applied to painted surfaces, and on top of ceramic glazes. Be sure to hold them up to bright light to see their shine: in low light the sparkles are much less visible.
contributor : lorraine brigdale
Lorraine says: “A YortaYorta woman, I’ve been an artist all my life, from making drawings and sculptures in the sand as a child through many creative twists and turns to end up here with my hands in the dirt again experimenting with natural materials in my Art and giving respect to my country and my ancestors.” Lorraine’s ochre paintings have been exhibited in Central Victorian galleries and exhibitions at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne. She gives regular workshops on ochre paint preparation and painting in Bendigo.
see more on instagram at @designnomaddiaries
Photo by Lorraine Brigdale
Photo from the Common Ground Australia website www.commongroundaustralia.org.au
22% donation recipient : Common Ground Australia
Common Ground Australia is a First Nations-led organization that celebrates and embraces First Nations people and records and shares stories with community. Common Ground is designed to build a foundational level of knowledge for all Australians, and he a go-to resource for those wanting to learn more and connect with our First Peoples. The group aims to help Australians see the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through providing access to stories that will help bridge gaps in knowledge.
Lorraine Brigdale writes: “I chose Common Ground Australia as so often I hear from people that they want to understand, want to do the right thing, but don’t know where to start. We live on Aboriginal land, but our general knowledge about Aboriginal people and Aboriginal history is tiny, because it’s been covered up by authorities since Invasion. We have grown up in a society where the government tried to erase Aboriginal people and this history overlays modern Australian people’s attitudes today. But things are changing, slowly, and children are learning and asking to learn. I believe that we can have change, but it will take organizations like CGA who put the stories in front of everyday Australians to help this change spread. “