New Welcome to Country artwork Yer-ung - Spirit Tree unveiled
Wiradjuri artist Darren Charlwoord worked with Elder Aunty Rhonda-Dixon Grosvenor to create a breath-taking Welcome to Country sculpture. The artwork recognises and celebrates the deep cultural significance of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney site to First Nations peoples.
Botanic Gardens of Sydney has unveiled a new First Nations artwork to welcome visitors to Australia’s natural masterpiece and oldest botanic garden on the shores of Warrane - Sydney Harbour.
Inspiration behind Yer'ung - Spirit Tree
The distinctive sculpture titled Yer'ung - Spirit Tree was created by Wiradjuri man Darren Charlwood, working closely with Gadigal Elder and Traditional Custodian Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grosvenor. Darren spent more than 120 hours carving it by hand from from a 1.2t blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis). He was inspired by Gadigal land, saltwater and sky and the connections between First Nations people and Country.
Darren is a contemporary Aboriginal artist and member of the Boomalli Aboriginal Artist Co-op. He is also a cultural educator and ranger for the NSW Government.
Artist Darren Charlwood spent over 120 hours carving the moving sculpture by hand from a 1.2t blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis).
Connecting Gadigal Country and Wiradjuri Country
The 2.3 metre high hardwood column emerges from sandstone rocks, surrounded by culturally significant plant species at the Reception of the Robert Brown Building at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
The light, weather and seasons are organically reflected in the multi-dimensional work, with its carved and burnt surface contrasting a reflective oyster inlay.
"I am extremely humbled to have this opportunity to create a Welcome to Country sculpture for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney,” Darren said.
“My work is an expression of Aboriginality and it has been such an honour to work with Aunty Rhonda to bring the Yer’ung - Spirit Tree to life, connecting Gadigal Country and Wiradjuri Country.”
Wiradjuri artist Darren Charlwood worked with Gadigal Elder Aunty Rhonda-Dixon Grosvenor to create the Welcome to Country sculpture.
The story of Sydney
It will engage and intrigue visitors, gently revealing Sydney's story as they approach and their viewpoint changes.
The top section depicts an artistic impression of a crow’s eye-view of the harbour with parts of the shoreline recognisable – including Wuganmagulya and Yurong - sites of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain Sydney.
The lower part incorporates Gadigal design elements at the direction of, and with permission from, Traditional Custodian and Elder Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grosvenor, including the Gadigal salt-water ancestor, Gurawal (The Whale).
The timber log has been covered in the resin of Galgudya (grasstrees) – a deeply culturally significant plant that is the origin of the name Gadigal.
“The Yer'ung - Spirit Tree is very important and powerful cultural symbolism of what it means for us as Indigenous people and it very much depicts the connection between Gadigal Country and Wiradjuri Country,” Aunty Rhonda said.
“It has been a beautiful experience and journey to work with and guide Darren and I think everyone will feel the spirit of the tree."
Oyster-shell inlay represents the relationships between people and place, marking the meeting of land and water. This also references the lost middens of this place that were mined to make the mortar that binds the brickwork of many of Sydney’s early buildings.
Waggan (the crow) – Darren’s totem – has been carved on the skyward-facing surface of the artwork, drawing the connection between Gadigal Country and Wiradjuri Country.
Gadigal design elements have been included at the direction of, and with permission from, Traditional Gadigal Custodian and Elder Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grosvenor, including the Gadigal salt-water ancestor, Gurawal (The Whale).
Ceremony and celebration
As part of NAIDOC Week, the moving sculpture was welcomed to its home in the Reception Garden of the Robert Brown Building by Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grosvenor as well with a powerful smoking ceremony by Uncle Dean Kelly and the Dance Group Ngully Marach.
Simon Duffy AM, Chief Executive Botanic Gardens of Sydney said the iconic site in the heart of Sydney has been significant for First Nations peoples for millennia and continues to be central to culture and community today.
"I am so honoured to acknowledge and deeply thank the talented artist Darren who created Yer’ung – Spirit Tree with the guidance of Aunty Rhonda. I am thrilled that this will stand by our doors for many years to come to welcome our staff, visitors, and guests to Gadigal Country," Mr Duffy said.
"This artwork will be a reminder of the fact that we have much to learn from Australia’s First Nations communities and cultures. Our Indigenous peoples have lived sustainably for over 60,000 years and we can learn from their wisdom, their science and their respect and care for Country.
"It stands as a reminder to us all that right now humanity is not living in harmony with nature and we can achieve harmony and the balance through deep consultation, listening and working alongside our Indigenous peoples and communities in Australia and across the world. "
The sculpture was welcomed to its home outside the Robert Brown Building by Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grosvenor as well with a powerful smoking ceremony by Uncle Dean Kelly and the Dance Group Ngully Marach.