By Sabrina Dowling Giudici
Connection to Country is the basis of the Spirituality and Law of the many Australian Indigenous cultures. An attempt to artistically intersect this spiritual focus on place, with the Franciscan spirituality of Priest – Architect, Monsignor John Cyril Hawes (1876-1956), is the crux of the Triptych artwork that is the entry statement of the new museum in the Nunnagurdee Country of Geraldton.
Contemporary Aboriginal artist Bonni Ingram of Badimia Country (Mount Magnet district), visual artist Anton Blume and art producer Sabrina Dowling Giudici living on the Ingaarda and Bayungu Countries (Carnarvon district), joined together to create this artwork with the Latin title Dolores – Spes – Sanatio – Redemptio.
It visually expresses the inner journey of how sorrow can through embracing the gift of hope, transform our life through healing and eventually redemption.
Monsignor Hawes himself travelled extensively through the bush of the Midwest region from 1915 till 1939.
He remained understanding and respectful of the lives of the Aboriginal families who lived in the parishes he served.
Not least was in the parish of Mullewa where he lived for many years while still serving families across vast distances.
It was here that he felt deeply for the plight of the Aboriginal families who were not welcome in the town, so he reached out and met with them in the bush about two kilometres from the town and created an outdoor Mass area.
In the shade of a gum tree, he fashioned an Altar from a rocky outcrop and it became known as “Mass Rock”.
It is still there today and covered in lichen.
It is this lichen that humbly serves as part of the photographic background of the Triptych artwork together with the bush medicine and everlastings painted by Bonni.
All three members of the art group travelled through parts of the Midwest to photograph aspects of the buildings and experience the spirit of the Country.
Bonni Ingram followed the path of her own family’s journey that saw them shift from their home Country to the coast and eventually to Carnarvon.
In attempting to capture the essence of the spirituality of this architect priest, Bonni used her passion for her family’s country to paint in celebration and recognition of their lives and connection to it.
Anton Blume digitally infused the paintings by Bonni Ingram with his photography and original architectural drawings and diary sketches by Monsignor Hawes, embodying the eclectic harmony that also characterised his architecture.
Director of Heritage from the Diocese of Geraldton, Fr Robert Cross, says the artwork collaboration is a wonderful contribution to the art heritage of the Diocese.
“It recognised the art heritages of both the Aboriginal peoples of our land and that of Monsignor Hawes,” Fr Cross said.
“The artwork picks up on both the love of Monsignor Hawes for Aboriginal people and his own style of earthy art as expressed in his awe inspiring architecture. It speaks to us very much of what the Church is about – a profound connection with people in the condition of suffering – but the need to have hope for healing and then redemption – never quit.”