Beelia Boodja

Justin Martin

Title: Beelia Boodja

Artist/s: Justin Martin

Year: 2024

Site: East Perth Station

Location Detail: Artwork is installed on the escooter shed, located at the northern end of the southern carpark of the Public Transport Centre.

Medium: Printed aluminium composite panels

Description:

Beelia Boodja is a traditionally influenced artwork that represents Noongar history, family, connection to Country and the importance of our wetlands.

In Aboriginal culture, families are referred to as skin groups, identifiable by surnames and connections to relatives. In some areas there are up to six skin groups. Skin groups were responsible for taking care of the land. Prior to colonisation there were four primary skin groups in the Perth region, they were documented as the Balarak, Tondarup, Ngagarnuk, and Didarruk. These families and their descendants are now recognised as the Whadjuk and Binjerup peoples. There were two family groups that had more authority over the lands than others. 

The traditional Noongar linework represents Boorloo (Perth) and the site where the escooter shed is located and captures the history and use of land of the Noongar people. Boorloo had an extensive system of rivers which is referenced in the design. The areas of the river system were used by different individuals, some for maternity grounds and others came together for hunting and gathering. The circles have been used to represent waterholes and camping areas that Noongar people stopped by during their travels. The swamp reeds around the outside of the lakes refer to the native reeds within those lake systems that were used for basket making and weaving. Women also used the reeds to create scoops and netting. The larger circles represent campsites, showing the gathering of community and family groups.