School Visit: Three Journeys

3 Journeys is a contemporary exhibition bringing together Bush Mechanics, Warnarral Ngoorrngoorral and Cleverman, focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling through the medium of film making, television, music and art.

Students can delve into these three experiences and also bring them together with our digital 'Journeys' interactive; decorating your own virtual 'old car' and watching it drive through the desert landscape. This exhibition explores the idea of 3 journeys through three complimentary experiences, providing a broad insight into Aboriginal life, and linking strongly with the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised this exhibition may contain names, images and voices of people who have passed away.

Bush Mechanics

The outlandish cars, unbelievable mechanical repairs and irresistible characters from the hit TV series are back on the road!

Based on the popular ABC television series co-created by David Batty and Francis Jupurrurla Kelly, and told through the show’s distinctive brand of humour, Bush Mechanics showcases the ingenuity of outback mechanics whose clever resourcefulness can turn branches, spinifex and sand into tools and spare parts to get cars back on the road.

Featuring a range of items from the series, including two original cars, clay figurines, specially commissioned artwork, and interactive displays, explore broader insights into Aboriginal life and culture.

This exhibition has been developed by the National Motor Museum, a museum of the History Trust of South Australia, in conjunction with Pintubi Anmatjere Warlpiri (PAW) Media. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.

"We left our old camp, and were hunting as we walked toward Wayirdi. It was there that we came across the strange track."
- Jack Jakamarra Ross

Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool (Gija for 'old car')

Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool (Gija for 'old car') is a powerful cultural object full of sound, story, intercultural collaboration and reconciliation.

Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool is a car wreck from the Warmun Community in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and has been converted into a sonic sculpture, with a series of stories from members of the Warmun community painted on the car, creating a tapestry of story, old and new.

This car has recently completed 'The Journey Down', a tour of over 3,500km from Kunnanurra to Perth through the expanse of regional Western Australia, where it was the key element in a vibrant performance and celebration of dance, song, projections and otherworldly sound across the state. Students can experience this sonic sculpture, hear the unique sound as well as the stories from Gija Country on the car, and reflect on the Journeys involved, from the art on the car to the journey from Warmun to Perth.

Cleverman

Cleverman stormed onto ABC TV in 2016 as a dystopian sci-fi with a difference.

With a predominantly Indigenous cast and senior crew, the series explores a series of Aboriginal origin stories in a contemporary context, with political nuance touching on themes of class, racism and power.

Explore Aboriginal storytelling, language and creativity in this exhibition that invites you to listen first and immerse yourself in a powerful and contemporary expression of origin stories. Follow an immersive combination of video, audio and objects that showcase the making of Cleverman.

Discover original props, costumes and make-up from the series. Get up close to the bespoke designs by Weta Workshop alongside the artwork from the original comic book series.