Wangi Wangi

Brett Piva, Mel O'Dell, Helene Ruma, Wangi Wangi, 2021

Artist’s Brett Piva, Mel O’Dell and Helene Ruma have created bold artworks on and around the revamped Wangi Library Creative Hub to celebrate the exciting new chapter of this flexible facility. During the development of the project each artist worked with community to embed local experiences and stories within their artwork. 

Helene Ruma, Belinda Simon, Grace Edwards, Bev Shipp, Di Langham, Bony Roberts, Rhonda Nash, Jill Jesop, Helen l'Anson, Cathy Leary, Jo Broekman, Lenne Forbes, Paige Roberts, Susan Manning, Breeza Manning, Taylah Russel, Kaiyu, 2024

Awabakal language meaning: to be able, powerful, mighty

Local Nikinpa Aboriginal Artists supported by Arist Helene Ruma designed and painted Kaiya owl for the Wangi Creative Hub.

This owl is proudly adorned in powerful Aboriginal artwork that has been creatively painted to represent a connectedness to community, culture, and country, with glimpses of the histroy of Wangi Wangi on its wings. Aboriginal knowledge is shared via stories, songs, dances, art, song-lines, codes and language to help encompass the many different First Nations Peoples.

The owl is a collaboration, Nikinpa artists are not only from Awabakal Country, this creates creates a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns, symbols and expressions of knowledge. Nikinpa art group is known for painting gum leaves.  The leaves painted by the Nikinpa art group are healing leaves, they are culturally significant in the community and have a meaningful purpose intended for all who recieve them.

Nikinpa artist often create with school children and other community members and collaborate on varied projects projects including maintaining an ongoing partnership with forensics NSW. 

This project was supported by Lions Club Wangi and Muloobinba - Nikinpa Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Toronto.