Take a walk through shared stories

It’s the Sculpture Walk located at the Winton Wetlands.

A new walk dotted with works created by 15 Yorta Yorta artists to share stories of their living culture.

It’s an opportunity to meander on the newly created paths, discovering their stories, images and cultural works along the way.

Uncle Ollie Patten’s Rainbow Serpent emerging from the wood of a fallen tree, the colours calling you over to take a look to see what else you can discover. The goanna and turtle initially hidden from sight, only found by those who venture around the tree.

In the distance there’s a kangaroo — no, two, three — standing as we approach, watching. The Walkabout Family by artist Joey Beckhurst. Mosaics reflecting the colour of Country, shapes so iconic to this land.

There is a moment of puzzlement walking towards the entrance to the café. A huge form, ochre-coloured rusting metal, carefully detailed designs. Then recognition. It’s the dhuma nhanha woka biganga — wise woman of the land possum skin coat — designed by artist Treahna Hamm.

A possum skin cloak started small — just a few skins — to wrap a baby, and grew as the child grew.

The possum skin cloak — such a precious, warm, protective garment. Replaced by the government-issued woollen blankets. Blankets that weren’t as warm, not waterproof and that offered little protection from the cold and wet of south-eastern Australian winters.

This cloak — the wise woman cloak — reflecting many years of use, a growing of knowledge, wisdom, Culture.

The surface mimicking the burnt designs found on what was once an everyday item.

Such a strong statement.

And so, the Sculpture Trail continued.

Burnanga — Murray cod — the iconic fish of the Dungala (Murray River). From a Yorta Yorta Dreaming story that told of the creation of the mighty Dungala, this creation being has been re-formed in metal by artist Aunty Glennys Briggs.

As the sun glinted on its shiny fins, it was almost possible to be transported back to a different time. When the waters of the river were clear, burnanga were in abundance and the mighty river flowed powerfully along to the sea.

Other creatures such as the lizard — Aunty Cilla Atkinson’s Journey of Love — tell of a spiritual journey of love and protection for its young. Look closely. Can you find the young lizard protectively enfolded in the mother’s care?

The markings on the mother telling of such deep connection to Country.

In the distance a strange upright shape — grey, dome-like. Pulling us closer. Curiosity piqued.

Deliberate images on the outside — almost bark-like. The sun reflecting off the surface, creating warmth. Still puzzled.

A need to walk around this artwork. Finally, the mystery solved — Mia Mia. A place of gathering, shelter, safety. Created by Jesse Cooper, it beckoned, luring us into its warm embrace. The inside cosy, with the shapes of wooden branches on the internal walls — branches that formed the skeleton of a shelter.

And for those moments standing inside, it was a place of protection, of imagining, of stories, of gathering around the communal fire.

So many more pieces to see.

Jack Anselmi’s Youth of the Yorta Yorta People, giving just a hint of the work involved in wrestling the turtle from this huge tree stump.

Jack, a master carver who has been bringing wood to life, transforming it. This time to tell a story of the long-necked turtle — an important totem of the Yorta Yorta people.

And Keneisha Lines-Howell’s amazing work, Connections, on the outside of the water tank. A mosaic of colours, meaningless up close but, with the right distance, morphing into images of a kangaroo and koala — animals who share Country and stories. Iconic images of this land.

Lotjpatj Natjan Danak — words that tell of history, of a living Culture and most importantly, of a generous sharing of stories.

I urge you to go to the Winton Wetlands. Take your time as you wander along the paths and reflect on the artworks and the stories they tell.

Visit Kaiela Arts at the SAM Building to see other works by Jack Anselmi.

• Winton Wetlands’ Lotjpatj Natjan Danak, 652 Lake Mokoan Rd, Chesney Vale.