Layers of storytelling and local Aboriginal customs are embodied in the artworks that take pride of place at the newly completed Heffron Centre. Artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Dennis Golding shed light on the connections to Country woven into their work.

Like shimmering treasures to be discovered, the golden-hued artworks in the form of painted motifs, decals and sculptured bronze, wrap around the Heffron Centre's exterior and float through to the interior, ready to catch the light of the sun and the eye of visitors.

Although differing in medium, the artworks carry the joint title Shimmer and through various glimmering depictions, celebrate local wildlife such as stingrays, barrow hawks as well as the annual winter mullet run that has sustained Aboriginal people in Kamay Botany Bay for generations.“We titled all the works Shimmer because they're all interconnected in how they reflect light, like the sun off the water,” Carmen said.

“It's not just about reflection in a literal sense, but also about reflection of the past and listening, and especially listening to elders.” The placement of the golden artworks on the exterior of the building was intentional. “The sun interacts with it twice a day, as it would on top of the water with the mullet flowing through the water below,” explained Carmen.

Telling a story

The lines and flow of the artwork carry your eye through layers of history, connecting the contemporary surrounds to visions of the past. What is striking about the works is the way a topographical lens has been employed in the storytelling.

“Throughout the artworks we've looked at the coastline to be a very important part of the storytelling,” shared Dennis. “You know, really looking at the Country from a top view of where Aboriginal people have travelled across these different areas of the coastline.”

As an important part of their artistic practice, when creating new pieces, the pair explained they always make efforts to consult with local elders from the place where their artwork will be installed or exhibited. For this project, Carmen and Dennis engaged with local knowledge holder Uncle Steve Russell, taking advice on which direction their artworks should take.

Through consultation with Uncle Steve Russell, they began to turn their attention to local Aboriginal iconography. As a next step, the pair conducted research and visited local museums, which is where their interest in illustrating objects from Country as elements of cultural practice began to grow.

“Looking at how Aboriginal people have used parts of Country like stones, rocks or anything that they pick up from Country as a tool for fishing or a tool for making, we really wanted to highlight the tools as this kind of process of knowing,” explained Dennis. “We wanted to show how Aboriginal people know their country and have this cultural knowledge and a connection to this landscape. We were able to tell those stories through these objects and illustrating them, like we're looking at Country from a top view, creates this flow.”

Layers of meaning

The notion of flow is powerful in Shimmer as it speaks to the movement of passing time, the continuation of cultural practice and the concept of layered meaning.

As the artists explained, they wanted to do more than just depict the stones, plants and shells in their original form.

“By understanding the shape of these objects and considering how they might look like other objects such as marine life, and the fish that fly through the coastline and float through Botany Bay, that's another layer of connecting history, cultural practice and contemporary experience of what Aboriginal people do today along the coast,” said Dennis.

The great scale of the installation, stretching along walls and windows, paired with the way the sun dances along each flowing line and rounded edge, brings an element of awe to Shimmer, almost as if the artworks are alive.

This wonderous physical aspect of the work aligns with its conceptual underpinnings, specifically, a deep respect for Aboriginal culture and an enduring connection to Country.

When asked about the intended message of Shimmer, the pair emphasised the importance of acknowledging Aboriginal people and how they've cared for Country.

“We really want visitors to understand local histories, the cultural practices and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal people on this Country,” shared Dennis.

Whether you visit the new Heffron Centre as the sun moves through the sky, or as it sets, your eye will be drawn to Shimmer, mesmerised by the stories of Country that wrap the building as they wrap the land on which it stands.

Like shimmering treasures to be discovered, the golden-hued artworks wrap around the building’s exterior and float through to the interior, ready to catch the light of the sun and the eye of visitors.

“Throughout the artworks we've looked at the coastline to be a very important part of storytelling. You know, really looking at the country from a top view of where Aboriginal people have travelled across these different areas of the coastline,” shared Dennis.

You're invited!
Come along to the grand opening day of the Heffron Centre on Saturday 1 July. Join us with members of the Rabbitohs, local representatives, Councillors and more for a day of fun and festivities! There will be sports to play, food to eat and plenty to be part of! Hope to see you there.