Wardandi Boodja DSC_4159 by merrelyn

Wardandi Boodja DSC_4159

Wardandi Boodja is a five and a half metre steel bust on the Koombana Foreshore in Bunbury.
The title of the artwork, ‘Wardandi Boodja’, recognises one of the oldest cultures on the planet. Wardandi is a Noongar word that refers to this region’s dialectical group. This artwork stands as a guardian of this place, as a reminder we all live on and in Wardandi saltwater country. The Noongar word Boodja means country/place. Boodja is all encompassing including the whole ecosystem and human culture interwoven. The artwork recognises one of the oldest cultures on the planet and stands as a reminder to visitors and locals alike that Noongar culture is vibrant and strong.
An important element to the sculpture is the poem displayed on the plinth which reads:

Sand and water and time move through our fingers;
damp from the sea, the land clings to us—
salty and healing.
Slow down and listen to that whisper in the trees,
slow down.
Listen to the ancestors, bworan moort, keepers of the land
singing to the silvery kwilena.
They leap and call. Hear them—
they have come to play,
come to listen.
Swim, koolangka, chase the seagulls, laugh in the clean air.
See, where serpent rivers swirl into brine,
where maali dip long necks in living water.
Step gently here.
The earth is under our skin,
and Wardandi boodja keeps a warm fire burning.

Bworan moort: Old people/ancestors
Maali: Swans
Kwilena: Dolphins
Koolangka: Children

I deliberately overexposed the sky so that I could get the detail in the sculpture and I rather like the way it turned out.
It looks amazing Merrelyn, stunning capture of this wonderful sculpture. Great that you added the poem, it has a wonderful vibe. Fav
November 3rd, 2019  
Bep
It's a gorgeous sculpture! I love the poem. Fav.
November 3rd, 2019  
amazing
November 3rd, 2019  
Amazing sculpture :)
November 3rd, 2019  
What a fabulous sculpture! Great info too.
November 3rd, 2019  
Very interesting. Great details of the sculpture.
November 3rd, 2019  
What a fabulous sculpture, I love the narrative too, so interesting.
November 3rd, 2019  
Fantastic picture.
November 3rd, 2019  
A brilliant sculpture...& info.
November 3rd, 2019  
Wonderful post Merrelyn (photo and caption)
November 3rd, 2019  
Terrific capture of this great sculpture's details
November 3rd, 2019  
Fabulous sculpture. Great pov and details.
November 4th, 2019  
Stunning.
November 10th, 2019  
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