Marlbatharndu Wanggagu - Once Upon a Time in The West

Marlbatharndu Wanggagu- Once Upon a Time in the West is a project that integrates storytelling and intangible cultural heritage with distinctive contemporary art. This exhibition is the outcome of a collaboration with the IBN Aboriginal Corporation and Yinhawangka, Banyjima and Nyiyaparli people whose traditional lands are in the high country of North Western Australia; a region whose modern development was driven by the pastoral industry.  

Stockyard workers, 1955 from Life and Work on Roy Hill Station, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia (1955)FORM building a state of creativity Inc.

Marlbatharndu Wanggagu: people telling their stories 

Marlbatharndu Wanggagu- Once Upon a Time in the West is a project that integrates storytelling and intangible cultural heritage with distinctive contemporary art. This exhibition is the outcome of a collaboration with the IBN Aboriginal Corporation and Yinhawangka, Banyjima and Nyiyaparli people whose traditional lands are in the high country of North Western Australia; a region whose modern development was driven by the pastoral industry. There is no simple story to this history, but dispossession left a legacy, the effect of which continues to this day. The industry was dependent on Aboriginal labour, which sustained and built the stations. This exhibition is not intended to be a comprehensive survey of the pastoral industry across the state, but rather focuses on the direct experiences of people as they lived it. During this project many of those interviewed reflected on the station days fondly as a time when they worked on country with their family, developing into champion horse breakers, rodeo riders and kings of the gymkhana. Energy, action, risk and adventure were part of this life. Despite not being financially rewarded for their knowledge, skills or hard work, respect and status was bestowed from the community on exceptional horsemen and women. Women were just as accomplished as men in the saddle, and, whilst employment in roles on the station was gendered, with women’s primary role as domestic labour, when it was required women also did fencing, horse breaking, well sinking, mustering, and ‘gun slinging.’ Rather than a narrative of victimization and struggle, the voices are courageous and heroic. Yinhawangka, Banyjima and Nyiyaparli people created intentional communities of refuge; through culture, family bonds, laughter and love, whilst strict discipline maintained kinship and tradition. Being in Country, connected to place and family, provided strength and a sense of shared belonging.The pastoral industry is a part of the identity and history of many Aboriginal people. These stories have been told through an equal and sustained partnership with the IBN Corporation alongside Sharmila Wood (FORM Curator) and Andrew Dowding, Anthropologist. The exhibition features the artwork of Reko Rennie, Jetsonorama and photographer, Claire Martin. Marlbatharndu Wanggagu translates as ‘people telling their stories’ in Banyjima.

Pastoralists Equals Squatters,1954 International AR 110 Truck (2014) by Reko Rennie. Photograph by Bewley ShaylorFORM building a state of creativity Inc.

Reko Rennie 

Installation 

Neon Always was, Always will be, Reko Rennie, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Neon Insignia, Reko Rennie, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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This Land is Ours, 1954 International AR 110 Truck, Reko Rennie. Photograph by Bewley Shaylor, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Hamersley Gorge along the Nanutarra Munjina Road, Pilbara, photograph (2014) by Claire MartinFORM building a state of creativity Inc.

Claire Martin/Institute 

Marshall Smith, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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David Cox, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Sheila Sampi Sheila Sampi, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Allie Parker, brother of Rhonda Parker, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Suzie Yuline with her Grandchildren, Claire Martin/ Institute, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Kathleen Johnny, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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David Moses standing David Moses standing, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Tadjee Limerick, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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George Derschow, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Gordon Yuline, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Eileen James, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Dhu-Brothers, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Cowra Outcamp on Mulga Downs Station, photograph by Claire Martin, 2014 (1914) by Courtesy State Library of Western AustraliaFORM building a state of creativity Inc.

Cowra Outcamp

Photograph of Cowra Outcamp, Mulga Downs Station, Photograph by Claire Martin/Institute

June Injie, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Sandra Cox collecting junba on the Nanutarra - Witenoom Road, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Adrian Reggie Condon Adrian Reggie Condon, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Gordon Yuline, Claire Martin, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Paste up inspired by Jestonorama, photograph by Lillian Frost (2014) by Lillian FrostFORM building a state of creativity Inc.

Lillian Frost Bucking Bronco Inspired by Jetsonorama

Paste up on the IBN Services Building, South Hedland 

Aboriginal Stockman, paste up inspired by Jetsonorama on Indee Station, Jetsonorama, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Aboriginal Stockmen at South Hedland Square, inspired by Jetsonorama, Jetsonorama, 2014, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Amy Coffin (2014) by JetsonoramaFORM building a state of creativity Inc.

From the Archive

Stockyard workers, 1955 from Life and Work on Roy Hill Station, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Horses, 1955 Life and Work on Roy Hill Station, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Tommie with Horse named the Brewer, Minderoo Station, 1914 or 15 Courtesy, State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Nancy Tommy, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Shearing Shed, 1955 from Life and Work on Roy Hill Station, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State of Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Corunna Downs 1906 Aboriginal shearing Team, courtesy Dr Maryanne Jebb, AIATSIS Research Fellow, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Living Quarters, 1955 from Life and Work on Roy Hill Station, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1932, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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House Girls, 1955 from Life and work on Roy Hill Station, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Gathering of station hands and their families at Boolaloo Station, 1959 Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Pastoralists Association of Western Australia 1932, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, Courtesy State Library of Western Australia, 1955, From the collection of: FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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Credits: Story

This exhibition is the outcome of a collaboration with the IBN Aboriginal Corporation and Yinhawangka, Banyjima and Nyiyaparli people.

These stories have been told through an equal and sustained partnership with the IBN Corporation alongside Sharmila Wood (FORM Curator) and Andrew Dowding, Anthropologist.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Stories from FORM building a state of creativity Inc.
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