Moorina Bonini: 23/03/2020 to 23/06/2020

Moorina Bonini is a proud descendant of the Yorta Yorta Dhulunyagen family clan of Ulupna and the Yorta Yorta and Woiwurrung Briggs/McCrae family. Moorina is an artist, her practice is predominantly site specific, focusing on bringing to the forefront Indigenous knowledge systems and practices within spaces that are inherently not Indigenous. Moorina is also actively engaged within the Moreland community, producing and curating exhibitions and events at Blak Dot Gallery and Brunswick Mechanics Institute, as part of her role Next Wave.

In her show at Bus Projects , ‘A Tribute To The Concrete Box (For Aunty Hyllus Maris)’, Moorina creates a large white box within the gallery space. This big white box serves as a physical adaptation from Moorinas great Aunts metaphor, ‘The Concrete Box’, Hyllus Maris,1990. The metaphor positions ‘The Concrete Box’ in relation to institutions and systems that have restricted Indigenous people and knowledge through time. It was essential for the box to be broken and completely deconstructed. “It was important for me to see the local mob here in Melbourne take back that structural power through physical action”. Upon entering the space, one is faced with a written lore displayed on a wall. The text invites only the local Indigenous community to utilise tools within the space; a south eastern Indigenous stone tool (constructed by Moorina) and 3 burnt pieces of charcoal, to break away the box.

Following the opening on 10/03, there were cuts and holes alongside charcoal texts and imagery on the surface of the white cube. Within days of the opening, this participation came to a halt when the gallery closed its doors due to Covid-19. As a result of the temporary closure, the show was extended to 08/08. The initial interaction with the artwork has been frozen in time during the gallery's necessary closure

24/06 The gallery was open for private viewings. From the second lockdown, the gallery was closed until deinstallation. As an incentive for accessibility, Moorina has created an online reading list that speaks to the ideas in the show. You can view this list on the Bus Project website.

Website: moorinabonini.com

Instagram: yortayorta_warrior_principessa