A collaboration between Gosnells Council and Langford Aboriginal Association (LAA) has resulted in an eye-catching exhibition celebrating Noongar history, culture and heritage from the local area.
Mayor Terresa Lynes said the Maladjiny-ap exhibition features three large-scale artworks, plus interpretive panels, which will be on display in the Orange Room at the Gosnells Library for two years.
“Maladjiny-ap means ‘place of growing’ in Noongar, and it is our hope that sharing this exhibition and knowledge will help our community to grow closer together,” she said.
“We now call this area the City of Gosnells, but this area has been Whadjuk Noongar Boodja, or land, for tens of thousands of years and is an important part of Noongar culture.”
The artworks were created by LAA’s staff, group participants and community members.
LAA acting senior executive officer Sophie Walker said the Maladjiny-ap exhibition was a great opportunity to share culture and bring people together.
“It’s a very important story that needs to be told and documented, and even as the groups were working on the artworks, everyone was sharing their own stories,” she said.
“For me, it’s amazing to see so many different artists coming together, everyone has their own style and the more you look at the artworks, the more you see.”
One artwork tells the story of the Wagyl, the Rainbow Serpent, that travelled down from the sky to connect waterways and open up valleys.
Another artwork reflects on the close relationship between culture, family and country.
The third describes the six seasons of the Noongar year.
The exhibition is open during Gosnells Library opening hours, 9am – 7pm on Mondays, 9am – 6pm Tuesdays – Thursdays, 9am – 5pm Fridays, 9am – 1pm Saturdays and 1pm – 4pm Sundays.
Gosnells Library is at 2232 Albany Highway, Gosnells.
