Galari Bila Ngurambang
(Lachlan River Country)
CORPORATE ARTWORK COMMISSION
Artist: Matthew “Melnunnie” Brettschneider
Matthew “Melnunnie” Brettschneider of Melnunnie Art is a proud Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist based in Maroubra, New South Wales. He is originally from Hillston in Western New South Wales. Hillston is a special place that borders both Wiradjuri Ngiyampaa Country of which Matthew has ties to both people and informs his practice.
Matthew is interested in the practise of Aboriginal culture and storytelling through Aboriginal art. The key themes of his practise are centered on Country, home and belonging. His approach to art making intentionally challenges the audience’s impulsive tendencies to view Aboriginal art solely in its abstract form. Beneath these forms are stories that exist through each mark and stroke threading narratives of people and place.
The Wiradjuri word “Melnunnie” means “red”. This word holds particular importance to Matthew. It is a word that brings focus to Matthew’s historical connection to the river red gums of his upbringing, and the red dirt country of Hillston. “Melnunnie” is also Matthew’s nickname that was endearingly adopted to mirror the physical feature of his natural hair.
The Artwork
This piece shows how the Lachlan River (Galari Bila) flows through Wiradjuri Country (Ngurambang). And in my case also Ngiyampaa Country, as the River is the border for the two clans in far Western NSW. As the River flows through Country, it feeds Creeks and Billabongs on its path that provides life to the land.
The River is illustrated by three thick lines, representing the three rivers of Wiradjuri people. The three Rivers that define Wiradjuri Country are the Lachlan (galari), Murrumbidgee (Marrambidya), and the Macquarie (Wambool). The four concentric lines on the River represent waterholes and meeting places. Creeks and Billabongs are represented by a single thick stroke, which shows the narrower path of the water courses. The Billabongs also flow in and out of the River in the same stretch creating small lakes when full. These Lakes are illustrated by concentric lines between River and Creek, representing ripples of water in a Lake or Billabong.
“The energy flows through Country like the roots of the River Red Gums, of which this cream can be found in its bark”
The bisecting lines formed in the cream are a representation of the unbroken: stories, paths, and bloodlines of my ancestors. The concentric lines flowing from these paths are a representation of how life on country is sourced from the River, but also our responsibility to look after Country. The background colour is a representation of the red earth found on Country in far west NSW where my upbringing and ancestral roots lie. The colour of the River, Creeks, and Billabong, is a representation of the muted khaki tones of the Water The Cream lines are a representation of the pure energy, and connection to Country.