Exhibition report - WILD
Title: Nowanup Boodja: Healing Country, Healing People
Author: Led by Uncle Eugene Eades and Noongar Elders
Year of Production: Ongoing since 2004
Medium/Format: Exhibition featuring herbarium sheets, storytelling and cultural artefacts
What I Found Interesting About the Work
I was particularly interested in the concept of cultural revegetation, where restoring the land goes hand-in-hand with healing culture and community well-being. This project combines ecological restoration and cultural revitalisation, showing how landcare practices can nurture heritage.
The exhibit highlighted how the Noongar Elders' traditional knowledge has guided the selection of native plants and practices like cultural burning. This integration of ancient wisdom with contemporary ecological challenges presents an example of how Indigenous practices offer sustainable solutions in a modern world.
Uncle Eugene’s hope to inspire global audiences to connect with their own lands through storytelling was particularly impactful to me. By sharing knowledge across generations, the exhibit promotes the idea that preserving cultural practices is not just about the past but also about building a resilient future.
The land’s transformation from 'Death Valley' back into a fully thriving ecosystem emphasises the potential of Indigenous stewardship to bring life back into deteriorated landscapes. The idea that land can hold trauma and also recover through intentional care can be a metaphor for healing within communities as well.
How I Can Use These Ideas in My Own Project
The exhibit’s focus on creating comfort through cultural and environmental restoration connects to my project on digital comfort.
Just as Noongar practices restore comfort to the land, my project could explore how digital environments can restore comfort to users. I could incorporate familiar elements, calming visuals, and consistent patterns to create a digital 'healing space' for users.
The way Nowanup integrates traditional knowledge into modern practices inspires me to think about how different cultural perspectives could influence digital design. I could research how to make digital spaces more inclusive, perhaps by incorporating customisation options for diverse user needs, similar to how Nowanup adapts its landcare practices for the community.
By applying these insights, I hope to create a digital experience that not only feels comfortable but also respects and adapts to the diverse needs of its users, much like Nowanup Boodja's approach to healing both land and community.