Bower Studio 25 @ Warmun

David O'Brien

Studio Description

In this Bower Studio program we have been invited to support Indigenous artists by producing designs for an improved arts precinct and gallery at Warmun in the Kimberley region of remote Western Australia. The local Gija people are famous for their painting skills with their artwork highly sought after by major international collectors and galleries. The communities arts centre and heritage art collection is currently threatened by severe floods that inundate existing buildings. We have been asked to propose new facilities that will safeguard culture and help support the artists into the future.

The studio includes a site visit to Warmun in week four of semester. This is a ‘real project’ and the community are keen for the best design ideas to be included in their upcoming funding applications. Bower Studio has been taking a long-term approach to the community’s request for design support, and we have been developing a robust relationship with the Gija people.

Studio Outcomes

Before preparing your own designs, you will get to know the community and building process by working alongside them at the local arts centre. Our immediate goal is to help construct a place for community gatherings, eating and ceremony called a 'goong goon' at the arts centre and heritage precinct. The construction phase will take around five days in week four in the semester and this will provide you the opportunity to develop your building skills while closely engaging with the community. This phase has proven to be a perfect way for students to build a solid foundation for their own design proposal.

This deep dive into the community, plus your firsthand engagement with indigenous knowledge systems and experience on country, will build your confidence to research, build and consult with indigenous clients before framing your own design program over the remainder of the semester. Physical scale models and video clips will be encouraged in this studio. A $1500 bursary to help cover travel costs is available.

See www.bowerstudio.com.au for previous projects and more information.

Studio Leader/s

Associate Professor David O’Brien (BPD, BArch hons, PhD) began the Bower Studio following his work on community development in SE Asia. In 2008 he initiated the award-winning Bower Studio program working with marginalised communities in remote Australia and Papua New Guinea. This program has led to the co-design and co-construction of a range of education, health and culture facilities across several remote communities. The broader Bower Studio team working with us this semester includes various additional staff members including experienced architects, builders, directors of development agencies plus community leaders and members. This is a highly collaborative project.

Readings & References

Toomelah (iView)

Bush Mechanics (YouTube)

Charlie’s Country (Prime)

Robbie Hood (SBS)

Samson and Delilah (SBS)

Grant, S 2016, The Australian dream, Quarterly Essay Issue 64.

Langton, M 2012, Counting Our Victories: the end of Garvey-ism and the soft bigotry of low expectation,https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/boyerlectures/2012-boyer-lectures-245/4427682

McGaw, J. 2015,  Assembling the centre: architecture for indigenous cultures: Australia and beyond. Routledge.

Page, A. 2021, Design: building on Country. Thames & Hudson.

Pascoe, B. 2014, Dark Emu, South Australia, Griffin Press.

Pearson, N 2009, Up from the mission: selected writings, Melbourne. Black Inc.

Sutton, P 2011, The politics of suffering: Indigenous Australia and the end of the liberal consensus, Carlton, Vic. Melbourne University Pub.

Sutton, P. 2021, Farmers or Hunter-gatherers? The Dark Emu Debate

https://www.mup.com.au/books/farmers-or-hunter-gatherers-paperback-softback

Toohey, P 2008, Last drinks: the impact of the Northern Territory intervention, Melbourne. Black Inc.

Ward, C 2016, A handful of sand, The Gurindji struggle, after the Walk-off, Victoria, Monash University Press.

Yijani: True stories from Gurindji country

https://aiatsis.gov.au/publication/35037

Schedule:
Tuesday 11am-2pm in MSD 117
Friday 10am-1pm in MSD 142 

Off-site Activities:
TBA

Contact Handbook