ESSENCE MARKS 15 YEARS OF BIG hART CREATIVITY IN ROEBOURNE
A young participant enjoying the Big hArt exhibition. Credit: Samara Diaz, Jasper McDonald Blair and Jenson Pryar
Fifteen years of music, theatre, film, art and community storytelling have been celebrated in Roebourne, as Big hART marks a major transition in its long-running work with the community.
The Essence project brought together artists, families, Elders and young people to reflect on the creative work produced in Roebourne over the past decade and a half — while looking at how that work can continue under the leadership of future generations.
Big hART co-founder and creative director Scott Rankin said Essence was not simply about looking back.
“It’s not about nostalgia, it’s about the essence of the thing — and the essence is alive and deep and a wellspring of creativity.”
Big hArt CEO Scott Rankin celebrating the beginning of the Essence exhibition. Credit: Samara Diaz, Jasper McDonald Blair and Jenson Pryar
Mr Rankin said the organisation had accumulated “container loads” of artwork, memorabilia, films and other material during its time in Roebourne, alongside about 100 songs and major productions developed with community.
He said the milestone had also prompted Big hART to consider how responsibility for the work could increasingly be handed on.
“Fifteen years is a long time… we started to think about handing on responsibility to other people coming through.”
Patrick Churnside and his family at the conclusion of Essence. Credit: Samara Diaz, Jasper McDonald Blair and Jenson Pryar
Among the works remembered during Essence was Hipbone Sticking Out, developed from the story of the death of 16-year-old John Pat in a Roebourne police cell in 1983.
Mr Rankin said the collaboration eventually helped lead to the creation of the John Pat Peace Place, overlooking the Harding River, where community performances continue to be held.
The Essence celebrations also featured music, community songs, visual artworks, food and a preview of a documentary exploring Roebourne leadership, creativity and advocacy.
Mr Rankin said the film is expected to be taken to Parliament House next year, with community members involved in presenting its message.
Big hArt and Dream Cast performers gathering before their final performance together at the Essence exhibition. Credit: Samara Diaz, Jasper McDonald Blair and Jenson Pryar
The celebrations also continued a cultural exchange between Ngarluma artists and Indigenous artists from the Solomon Islands.
Members of the youth-led Solomon Islands organisation Dreamcast travelled to Roebourne after Ngarluma artists, including Patrick Churnside, visited the Solomon Islands last year.
Solomon Islands artist Chief Natty Dolaiasi said music and storytelling offered a natural meeting place between the cultures.
“Different languages, different cultures, and then they come and meet in the middle to experience each other’s cultures.”
Chief Natty said while Roebourne culture was strongly connected to vast Country, his own community’s stories were shaped by island life and the Pacific Ocean.
But he said songs, stories and oral traditions played a similar role in carrying knowledge across generations.
“Songs and stories, poems and rhymes are not just songs and poems. They are the essence of our cultures.”
The exchange produced new music during the artists’ time together, including a song developed by Patrick Churnside and visiting Solomon Islands musicians using three different languages.
Dreamcast artist Juanita said the relationship built during the two exchanges could still be felt when the group returned to Australia.
“We can feel the connection, the spirit,” she said.
“The pride that they have with their culture — it feels so nice to be here and be able to connect with them.”
Big hArt and Ieramugadu performers. Credit: Samara Diaz, Jasper McDonald Blair and Jenson Pryar
For Big hART, Essence represents a turning point rather than an end to the stories created over the past 15 years.
Mr Rankin said the focus was now on ensuring the skills, stories and creative pathways developed through the projects could continue with the next generation.
Chief Natty said the cultural exchange had similarly established a foundation for future collaboration.
“There’s a pathway already been laid before us,” he said.
“Definitely, this will lead into the future, going together, working hand-in-hand with the different Indigenous cultures.”
Listen to the Full Interviews Below: