Photo by James Wright (2022)
Giraru Galing Ganhagirri means “The Wind Will Bring Rain” in Wiradjuri. It speaks to the implacable force of Country- of the assurance that, in nature, one thing follows another and the meeting of the elements of air and water. Always have and always will. In these times, solace is to be found in the ‘ancientness’ and endurance of Country. Whatever happens, the wind will always bring the rain.
This dance work on video, is the result of a collaboration between Wiradjuri choreographer Joel Bray, filmmaker James Wright and composer Daniel Nixon. Giraru Galing Ganhagirri is a multi-channel screen video installation of pure dance- a poetic, choreographic meditation on the elements. In a nod to ancient ceremony and filmed entirely on Joel’s ancestral Wiradjuri Country, Joel gently inhabits the landscape with his body literally ‘painted’ with Country.
This work premiered at the National Gallery of Australia as a part of the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial, curated by Hetti Perkins, in 2022.
Giraru Galing Ganhagirri toured around Australia, as part of the National Gallery of Australia’s Triennial exhibition tour. It toured to the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, as part of the Songlines. Tracking the Seven Sisters exhibition, 2022, and exhibited at Blind Side Gallery, Melbourne for Midsumma Festival 2024.
Giraru Galing Ganhagirri was commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra for the 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony, created in consultation with Uncle James Ingram and Wagga Wagga Elders, and with support from City of Melbourne, Phillip Keir and Sarah Benjamin (the Keir Foundation), City of Port Phillip, Create NSW, Blacktown Arts, Arts Centre Melbourne, and Yirramboi Festival 2020
As a fundraising campaign in support of the artist, limited edition Art Prints from Giraru Galing Ganhagirri are available for purchase. For more information, click the button below:
