| ARTSOURCE APPROACH:
artsource engaged in this commission to demonstrate a tangible outcome of the aims of artsource programs to ensure that sufficient knowledge, interest and skills are developed and remain within the community, ensuring continuity and growth of the sector, and that connections and partnerships are built between artists.
In an innovative step forward to reconciliation and celebrations of Noongar Culture, Curtin University of Technology have commissioned the design and creation of a contemporary ceremonial Doak. A Doak is a Noongar artifact used traditionally for hunting and often passed down through generations, holding the stories of a time and place. The commissioned Curtin Ceremonial Doak will be used to open chancellery meetings and official ceremonies such as the Curtin Graduation Ceremony, a ceremonial object to serve the functions of a mace.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Jeanette Hacket has chosen a Doak in recognition of the University’s relationship with, and commitment to, Aboriginal people. The commission is yet another demonstration of Curtin’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous students, projects and the broader Indigenous community. It is an acknowledgement, representation and appreciation of Noongar country.
Noongar artists Athol Farmer, Peter Farmer and Leonard (Jack) Williams were engaged to collaborate on the project, a magnanimous effort considering the distance between the artists. Several trips to Albany , Katanning and Perth (Athol utilized the artsource residential studio while in Perth) ensured that the artists kept in touch to produce this highly significant work.
The doak is a traditional hunting tool, used to provide food for the family and for every day activities such as digging. The doak would have been passed down through the generations and have been significant to the family in that way. A lot of time went into making a doak from choosing the right wood, to seasoning the wood so that it would be strong and last. The main timber used for a doak is the Mungart (Jam tree) because of the very fine grain and natural hardness of the wood.
The doak used in this commission was made by Leonard (Jack) Williams a Noongar Elder. The doak was carved with designs developed by Peter Farmer and Athol Farmer from the talking to the elders.
The Karta (goanna) on the doak is an animal that’s a Totem, as well as a food source that requires a certain process when cooking and serving. This along with other skills is something taught to young adults when they reach a certain age.
The colour ochre lines at each end of the doak are painted with ochres collected from an ochre pit north of the Stirling Rangers and is significant to Noongar people for ceremonial reasons. We used only the colours of the ochres found in nature.
The fine carved patterned strait lines at each end of the doak are inspired by the carvings on a Noongar message stick as seen on the message sticks shown to Peter by Noongar Elder Richard Wilkes
The doak sits high on an impressive stand made from Jarrah burl from Kojonup. Jarrah has been used on the base to represent part of Noongar country. Also used is the Mallee and Jam which are widespread throughout Noongar Boodja. All of these types of wood were used by Noongar people for centuries, for many different purposes. The type of trees in the landscape told Noongar people where they were in country.
The stand represents a fireplace. The fireplace is significant to the Noongar people firstly because the fire place is a meeting place. It is a place to pass on culture and history through storytelling, a healing place, a spiritual place, a place to cook for the family, a place where the children were taught, a place to sleep around that provided light and warmth, a place for trading and exchange between tribes, elders, and families.
Placed on the base of the stand are objects given by some of the Noongar Elders visited. The tin can offered by Angus Wallam represents the time when he was a young man carting water back to camp, a 3 km journey. The rock with moss offered by Frida Winmar as a symbol of her country. The coloured rocks are ochre collected from the ochre pit just north of the Stirling Rangers.
The work is entitled Kaarl Wangkiny meaning ‘fire talking’ to symbolise importance of the learning that takes place around the fire.
‘ As Noongar artists, we feel that the significance of the fireplace and the doak, both equally important to our survival and essential to our way of life, make a worthy object for this commission.’ Says Athol
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