Bonara - Artwork Title
Bonara means ‘seasons’. The purpose of this title is to holistically describe the Six Seasons system, in both its ancient and living existence.
Since the beginning of the earth’s formation, seasons have existed. And although these natural changes have shifted over time, they are continuous and guide our understanding of our environment and how we live within it.
Kaatitj - Knowledge of the Artwork
The six seasons are a unique identifier of Nyoongar Boodjar (Country) and kaatitj (knowledge). This system exists between the physicality of the earth and the spirituality of our people, thus informing the ways in which we interact with Boodjar, Boorna (Trees), Barna (Animals), and Nyoongar (people).
The six seasons align approximately with two calendar months. Makaru (June-July), Djilba (August-September), Kamabarang (October- November), Birak (December-January), Bunuru (February-March), and Djeran (April-May). This alignment is approximate due to the unpredictability of nature.
The six seasons are known for their indicators, such as the weather patterns, blooming blossoms bringing colour to the landscape and understanding of our animal kin, their
life cycles and changing behaviours. This is an important aspect of identifying each season, however Nyoongar seasonal knowledge is far more intricate and influences many aspects of our ways of doing and being. The seasons determine our travel plans, by guiding our movement throughout our Boodjar. They provide structure to our curriculum, by providing changing landscapes and on- Country classrooms for our koorlangka (children). The seasons influence our food plans, our meeting schedules, our annual events, and importantly, our deep connection with our natural environment, so that we do not live upon it but within it.
Walken - Colours
The colour selection is based on the representative colours of the six seasons. The colours are used universally among Nyoongar educators and artists, as they represent the native plants and landscape changes that occur each season.
The palette is tailorable and can be used in monochromatic colours, black and white, and inverted colours.
Artist - Dr Richard Walley OAM
Dr Richard Walley OAM is a Nyoongar-Yamatji man of the Western Australian southwest region.
In 1978, Richard, along with three other Aboriginal men, formed the ‘Middar Aboriginal Theatre Group’. Middar, in its lifetime took Aboriginal culture to every continent around the globe.
Richard has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal and two honorary doctorates for his contribution to the promotion of Nyoongar Culture and the Arts.
In 2010, Richard received the ‘Citizen of the Year Award ’in the ‘Indigenous Leadership’ category of the Celebrate WA Awards.
In 2021, Richard was awarded the 2021 WA Senior Australian of the Year.
A fluent speaker of the Nyoongar language, Richard continues to push boundaries, while always focussing on the bigger ‘community’ picture of culture, education, arts and environment.
(Note: there are many variations to spell Noongar. It is shown as Nyoongar in the text above which Dr Walley provided.)
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