![TRUTH-TELLING: Artist Birrunga Wiradyuri [inset] has seen a host of his evocative works illuminated along George Street. Photos: PHIL BLATCH, SAM BOLT](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xry9xtRQu9u36zRV2j5976/d792d5ae-124e-48c8-80ae-fb56b620ea62.jpg/r0_0_1717_1037_w576_h298_fmax.webp "TRUTH-TELLING: Artist Birrunga Wiradyuri [inset] has seen a host of his evocative works illuminated along George Street. Photos: PHIL BLATCH, SAM BOLT")
Wiradyuri ancestry, culture and country has been expressed in accurate and unfiltered detail in a Bathurst Winter Festival illumination based on the works of artist Birrunga Wiradyuri.
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Birrunga's installation, Ngurambang Ngayirr Wahluu, is situated in George Street, and features a series of artworks expressing evocative statements regarding the historical and spiritual significance of the region's First Nations people.
"I closely consulted my elders throughout the entire creative process, and we're very grateful for the opportunity to present our stories about country, of country, and relate to our ongoing protection of country," Birrunga said.
"There's some very strong statements in the works, such as stories of massacres relevant to this area and the ongoing push for the repatriation of our ancestors and their belongings, which still remains formally unresolved.
"So it's very special to have my mob's permission to put these works forward and have them displayed publicly, as some have never seen the light of day."
Birrunga hopes the artwork will inspire members of the community to seek out correct information regarding the region's First Nations history.
"Our cultural responsibility is centred around yindyamarra: respect, be polite, do slowly, be gentle and show honour: and truth-telling," he said.
Birrunga was introduced to ESEM Projects via Bathurst Regional Art Gallery director Sarah Gurich, who invited the Brisbane-based artist to stage a solo exhibition at the gallery late last year.
![CULTURAL RESPONSIBILITY: Birrunga Wiradyuri [centre] taking part in the smoking ceremony to open the Bathurst Winter Festival on Saturday night. Photo: PHIL BLATCH](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xry9xtRQu9u36zRV2j5976/c0985f96-f95d-4b48-95ee-135c96a04743.jpg/r0_371_5760_3622_w576_h298_fmax.webp "CULTURAL RESPONSIBILITY: Birrunga Wiradyuri [centre] taking part in the smoking ceremony to open the Bathurst Winter Festival on Saturday night. Photo: PHIL BLATCH")
The installation features music from Mitchell Conservatorium composer Todd Brownlow, and a smoking ceremony was performed across the road to help launch the festival last Saturday.
Wiradyuri elder Mallyan [Uncle Brian Grant] said the installation highlights their pleasure in sharing country with the local community.
"Regardless of how people define it, we share this country and we all acknowledge Wahluu [Mount Panorama] as the centre of this town, Mallyan said.
"There's been division, yes, but we must move forward together."
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
