Giraru Galing Ganhagirri means “The Wind Will bring the Rain” in Wiradjuri. It speaks to the implacable forces of Country: the assurance that, in Nature, one thing follows another. In these crazy times, I find succour in reflecting on the ancientness and endurance of Country. Whatever happens, the wind will always bring the rain. I am a guest on Kulin Country, and often stand out in storms that arrive here from my home- meteorological songlines that connect us to our countries and to neighbouring nations.
This film work is being made in collaboration with filmmaker James Wright and composer Dan Nixon and has been filmed on Wiradjuri Country. The work was shot at beautiful sites on Wiradjuri Country, selected in dialogue with the Wagga-Wagga elders, and features Joel gently inhabiting Country, and literally painted in the terrain. The work manifests in a gallery space as a seven screen installation arranged with a nod to the ancient oval shapes of Burbang (Ceremonial) grounds.
The first presentation of the work was at the National Gallery of Australia as a part of the 4th National Indigenous Arts Triennial, curated by Hetti Perkins.
