The Sydney Opera House sails light up for Badu Gili: Wonder Women, celebrating six female First Nations artists in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Badu Gili is an annual celebration of Aboriginal culture, art, and history, which has recognised the importance of Tubowgule land, ceremony, and storytelling for thousands of years. As an important part of the Opera House’s year-round First Nations program, Badu Gili aims to foster a shared sense of belonging for Australians and will be showing in Sydney until Wednesday, 31 August.
The light exhibition showcases the works of Wathaurung elder Marlene Gilson, Yankunytjatjara woman Kaylene Whiskey, Luritja woman Sally M. Nangala Mulda, Western Arrernte women Judith Inkamala and Marlene Rubuntja, along with the late Kamilaroi woman Elaine Russell. The vibrant Badu Gili “water light” art is being projected onto the Opera House’s eastern Bennelong sails each day from sunset, 6:30pm, 7pm and 8pm.
In partnership with the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) as a celebration of its 150th anniversary, the free Wonder Woman installation was curated by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curator Coby Edgar.
“The Gallery is proud to present the first all-female artist line-up for Badu
Gili and to bring together stories by artists from Wathaurung, Kamilaroi, Luritja, Western
Arrernte and Yankunytjatjara Country, on Gadigal Country,” Edgar said in a media release for Badu Gili.
Badu Gili: Wonder Woman brings to life stories of shared histories, from the Eureka Stockade, and mission days to the devastating bushfires of 2019-20. Showcasing intimate family experiences and everyday life in First Nations communities, the art celebrates heroic women and links the culture of community elders to the experiences of the younger generation who have grown up with contemporary influences.
Kalindi Wrightson is an Indigenous woman of the Yuin Nation whose ancestors are the Kamilaroi people. She is very pleased to see First Nations art on display at one of Sydney’s most prominent sites.
“Art is an important part of our culture. Being from an oral tradition, art helps to document stories. Colonisation has had a devastating impact on culture, and having art displayed for us to see helps us regain and maintain culture,” says Wrightson.
The Badu Gili installation has had an impact with over 500,000 people attending the event in person throughout its lifetime, launching in 2017. With this year’s presentation expected to draw in crowds wanting to appreciate the history of this country.
The CEO of the Sydney Opera House, Louise Herron believes that this year’s collaboration with the AGNSW has been a great way of sharing Aboriginal culture and supporting female Australian artists.
“It’s wonderful this time to be collaborating with the Art Gallery of New South Wales, for its 150th anniversary, exploring the depth and vibrancy of six very special artists,” said Herron in a Badu Gili media release.
“Thanks to the generous support of the NSW Government and the vision of Coby Edgar, Badu Gili: Wonder Women continues the rich legacy of Bennelong Point as a meeting place for culture, storytelling and community.”
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