Jonathan Jones shields Indigenous history

Using 15,000 white shields, UNSW Art & Design alumnus Jonathan Jones has created the most ambitious Kaldor Public Art Project to date.

A Sydney-based Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist, Jones created the site-specific work barrangal dyara (skin and bones) at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens for the 32^nd Kaldor Public Art Project.

barrangal dyara recalls the 19^th century Garden Palace which originally stood in the Royal Botanic Garden between 1879 and 1882 before a devastating fire destroyed not only the building, but the countless culturally significant Aboriginal objects inside it.

“The fire completely expunged the Aboriginal history of the area,” said Jones, who is the first Indigenous artist to contribute to the Projects in its history.

“barrangal dyara represents an effort to commence a healing process and a celebration of the survival of the world’s oldest living culture despite this traumatic event,” Jones said.

The vast sculptural installation of 15,000 white shields spans the 20,000 square-metres of the site, marking the original foot-print of the Garden Palace building.

Exterior, the Garden Palace, Sydney, c1879. Collection: Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney.

Jones said the shields replicate the ones his ancestors made from tree bark and then painted or engraved with biographical details.

“The shields symbolise the protection of both family and country,” he said.

At the heart of the installation, where the Garden Palace’s dome once crowned Sydney, a native meadow of kangaroo grass has been planted in tribute to the cultural practice of Aboriginal agriculture and management of crops such as kangaroo and wallaby grass, and native millet.

Eight Aboriginal language soundscapes have also been developed with communities throughout the south-east of Australia and installed at the site. The soundscapes are spoken in: Gumbaynggirr; Gamilaraay; Gunditjmara; Ngarrindjeri; Paakantji; Woiwurrung and Wiradjuri, allowing the project to develop from a state of loss and mourning into a celebration of the resilience of the world’s oldest culture.

John Kaldor, Founder of Kaldor Public Art Projects, said his admiration for Jones, one of Australia’s most celebrated Indigenous artists, has grown as the project has progressed.

“His great knowledge and compassion has given me an insight into a different Australia. Working with Jonathan has been a privileged, wonderful personal experience for me.”

Jonathan Jones and John Kaldor in front of the Garden Palace gates at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Photo: Anna McKay/Kaldor Public Art Projects

The installation will be enlivened by daily presentations of Aboriginal language, performances, talks, special events and workshops. 

UNSW Art & Design and Kaldor Public Art Projects are longstanding cultural partners and the faculty is once again an education partner with Kaldor Public Art Projects for their 32nd project.

Barrangal Dyara is at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, from 17 September to 3 October.