Four Aboriginal artists, three Bunurong and one Arrernte, were invited to create the Drum Theatre Welcome Flags, conveying a heartfelt 'welcome' message through the creation of the outdoor flags.
These flags take centre stage on footpath and at the entrance of The Drum Theatre, gracing its facade each day, extending a warm welcome to visitors and audience members and can be spotted at various locations during Drum Theatre excursion events.
The original works will be displayed in The Drum Theatre foyer, accompanied by information about the works and artists.
Uncle Mark Brown
Uncle Mark Brown is a proud Gunditjmara man through his mother's lineage and a Bunurong man through his father's side. Artistry has been an integral part of Uncle Mark's life since childhood, having wielded a pencil as soon as he could grasp one. Currently serving as a Senior Cultural Heritage Officer at the Bunurong Land Council, Uncle Mark has passionately contributed to the management of their ancestral lands since 2001. His journey is a fusion of artistic expression and Cultural stewardship, weaving together the threads of creativity and heritage to celebrate and preserve the stories embedded in our land. Uncle Mark's artistic journey encompasses painting, drawing, and digital art. He finds inspiration in both Traditional and modern Traditional forms, blending the old with the new. Whether creating fine art or expressing his passion for landscapes and birds, Uncle Mark's work is a canvas that reflects the rich tapestry of his Cultural heritage and connection to the land.
Visit Uncle Mark Brown's website to learn more about this artist.
About the Artwork
In the heart of Bunurong Country, under tall gum trees, a community gathered. Elders called all to a celebration where dance, art, language, and song intertwined. To the rhythmic beat of clap sticks, a vibrant dance shared stories and Ancestral connections, echoing the gum trees' sway. Artists painted the land's stories, connecting humans and nature. Language, a sacred vessel, flowed like a melodic river, echoing history. Beneath the branches, the community sang ancestors' songs, creating a symphony resonating Bunurong identity. This gathering was more than a celebration—it was a commitment to preserving Bunurong life, witnessed by the gum trees embodying unity and Cultural resilience.
Kylie Armstrong
Kylie Armstrong's Ancestral connections are in the Central Desert, the land and people of Arrernte. Armstrong lived respectfully on the land of the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Peoples for most of her life, travelling to many places in Australia and around the world only to be drawn back to where she grew up. She has been an active member of the community for many years on the Mornington Peninsula.
After adverse personal situations Kylie Armstrong embraced her spirituality, remained connected to Culture and embarked on a life where she is present and immersed in mindfulness. This journey has given her a new perspective and created more fulfilling pathways in which to explore. Through art and deep listening, she has been able to heal, learn, trust, love and connect with my Culture on a deeper level. Through this connection Armstrong creates contemporary paintings with respect to her Culture based on her own personal journey and her connection to nature. Painting is a very emotional and spiritual journey, Armstrong is connected and guided by her Ancestors and feel that during each painting she is healing the past, the present and the future.
Visit Kylie Armstrong's website to learn more about this artist.
About the Artwork
Kylie Armstrong's art depicts widely used and recognised Cultural objects known as clapsticks. In this artwork Art and Sound, the community is coming together and connecting in a shared experience. Through art, sound and shared experience we connect as a community gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of this connection.
Kylie Armstrong believes the modern-day theatre is an important community resource as it provides a place that is accessible to all of community which enables more people to share and experience Aboriginal culture from the many different areas throughout Australia.
Adam Magennis
Adam Magennis is a Bunurong visual artist with over 30 years professional career in the arts. Adam's studio is based in Shoreham where he produces finished art pieces and operates his art consultancy business. He has regular commissions for public art installations and has created various murals and sculptural works for public asset projects. Adam is the Director of Kaptify Art Services, a professional art consultancy, and Victorian Indigenous Business that is based in Mornington and operates throughout Victoria and in the Kulin Nation region area.
Adam created Kaptify during the period between 1991-1992. The unique Kaptify art style that Adam has created is influenced by the works of Salvador Dali, contemporary Australian landscape art, Illustrative inspirations from the natural sciences of geology and ecology, and aspects from the social sciences of archaeology and anthropology, graffiti style, caricature illustration, and Cultural symbols. The business model that Adam has established is based on that Kaptify functions as a ‘Community Based Business’. Built into Kaptify projects and programs are opportunities for the community to participate in business development opportunities and vocational business learning.
Visit Adam Magennis's website to learn more about this artist.
About the Artwork
This flag design is about the Barraemal Ceremonial Dance and Barraemal footprints across Bunurong Biik (Country). Barraemal (Emu) tracks across Bunurong Biik linked our Ancestors to other Cultural landscapes and clan group areas. The colour pallete used are the unique colours of the Kaptify art style.
Lakeisha Clayton
Lakeisha Clayton is a proud Mutti Mutti Bunurong woman.
Born in Mildura, Victoria and raised in Brisbane, Lakeisha always made time to spend in her father’s Country in Balranald (Mutti Mutti Country). Eventually moving down to Melbourne and working on Bunurong Country for the past seven years. In that time Lakeisha has done a lot of work and learnt a lot about herself, which is when her painting career begun.
Lakeisha was always interested in art growing up, but never thought she would actually make artwork that people wanted to buy. All this wouldn’t have come to be if it weren’t for her father. He was the one who taught her song lines about their dreamtime stories. Lakeisha expressed that she can't thank him enough for influencing what she does now. And now everything she does is for her younger brothers.