Untitled (Daglish Station)

Tjyllyungoo Lance Chadd and Trish Robinson

Title: Untitled

Artist/s: Tjyllyungoo Lance Chadd and Trish Robinson

Year: 2021

Site: Daglish Station

Location Detail: Artwork applied to entry and walls of underpass and station access ramp.

Medium: Acrylic Paint

Artist Statement:

My artwork has always been about ‘connection’ and speaks of our inseparable unity, with our lands, our Boodjarah, our Mother lands and all that comes from her and through her.

Our design depicting our relations of Daglish Flora and Fauna, expresses our land based Aboriginal Spirituality and foundational ‘Boorongur lore’ (Nature worshipping Laws) that are still in practice today.

Every animal and plant species living in country are related to us through our ‘Boorongur' - meaning our spiritual elder and blood brother relation.

‘Boorongur’ identifies our people with strong connections to place and belonging. All flora and fauna, Swans, Kangaroos, Fish, Turtles, Flowers, Trees, Birds, Insects, are all a ‘Boorongur' to a Bibbulmun Whudjuk person, family group, and/or district. Traditionally, every circumstance of life and death was ceremoniously associated with the Boorongur (Totem). 

Our children were taught their Boorongur Lore from a very early age and were told of the guardian spirit always watching over their totem, so that they should not wantonly hurt or kill the young of their fathers ‘Boorongur’, for these were their own little ‘ Boorongur brothers and sisters’. Our ancient sacred lore of nature worshipping instilled our deep understanding and intimate relationship with Boodja (our mother earth) and all that she creates.

Our bodies are fed and healed by her and our spirits live eternally through her. We are one, as such we have an inseparable bond of knowledge and care developed and practiced for hundreds of thousands of years.

Our contemporary cultural design expresses colourful movement and interconnection of Daglish’s flora and fauna – reflecting ‘Boorongur’ and the coming and going of travellers today.

All our designs reflect our cultural connections and are all uniquely different, as are our Boodjarah (Mother lands) Boorongur relations.

Through the universal language of art we hope to breathe this awareness of connection back to vivacity, pulsing within the community. Evoking a greater sense of care, belonging and wellbeing for all.