Paris Grove Artwork Celebrates Aboriginal Culture

April 8, 2024

• Local Aboriginal artwork to feature at Paris Grove
• Cultural connection to Australind acknowledged at Albemarle’s new workers accommodation
• Elders collaborate on Noongar names for facilities throughout the site

Three Aboriginal artists with strong connections to the South West region have been chosen to inform First Nations people’s storytelling at Paris Grove – Albemarle’s new workers’ accommodation in Australind.

Based on a series of themes developed in workshops with Elders last year, designs by Noongar artists Chris Collard, Carlene Thorne and Adrian Collard will feature at the main entrance and on way-finding signage throughout Paris Grove.

The design concepts were developed after Albemarle engaged FORM Building a State of Creativity, a not-for-profit organisation, to lead a series of art development workshops in Bunbury last year. These workshops also involved collaboration with Elders on Noongar names that could be used throughout Paris Grove.

Albemarle Vice President Capital Projects Australia Joshua Rowan said Paris Grove will house workers building the expansion of Albemarle’s Lithium Processing Plant in nearby Kemerton.

“Albemarle commissioned the artwork to honour the First Nations heritage and connection with the site and recognising their culture, history and deep connection to Australind was an important focus of the development,” Mr Rowan said.

At the workshops, Noongar Elders identified the cultural themes and stories they wanted to see reflected in the public art commissions, and this included the Noongar Six Seasons.

They also workshopped a series of Noongar names they felt were culturally appropriate to use on buildings and accommodation rooms throughout Paris Grove. For example, the Administration Building will be known as Katijin Miya which translates to ‘Knowledge Place’ and the Dining Hall is Miya Ngaarniny, which means ‘Eating Place’.

The artists said their creations were inspired by their experiences growing up in the South West.

Chris Collard, a Noongar artist with Wardandi and Wilmen heritage, designed a large-scale Banksia seed pod sculpture to feature prominently at Paris Grove’s entry.
 

“I’ve been painting for many years, and I like to tell stories through my artwork about places important to me, like growing up along the Australind estuary and Collie River,” he said.
 

Carlene Thorne, a Noongar Wardandi woman, wanted to encapsulate stories from Elders who consulted on Paris Grove in her artwork for the screening wall.

“My sculpture design depicts flora and fauna found around Australind,” she explained. “It came about from stories of sitting by the water around a campfire and sending smoke signals that people could see for miles, welcoming people to come join the feast.
 

“Growing up in and around Bunbury, I have spent many, many days and nights sitting by the water around a fire, cooking food with the family, so I felt that connection to the Elders’ stories.”
 

Adrian Collard developed designs for way-finding signage throughout Paris Grove that explore the six Noongar Seasons.
 

“The Australind area was the main hunting ground for me, my dad and my brothers, and I’m lucky to have had parents who passed their cultural knowledge to me so I can share it with others,” he said.

Mr Rowan said using Noongar language throughout Paris Grove would increase the resident’s knowledge and understanding of the rich history of language and culture which exists at the site.
 

“Since the project’s inception, the Paris Grove team has remained committed to recognising First Nations culture and acknowledging the significance of the site,” he said, “and we are thrilled to have established relationships with local Noongar Elders and artists, and be able to share their stories with everyone who stays with us at Paris Grove.”