Inspired by a map of endangered languages, Martine Perret’s life-long exploration of culture and language has brought her to the WA Museum Boola Bardip for a special exhibition called Belong: Language connecting feeling, culture, country.
Using stunning photography, aerial landscapes, video, audio, dance, and painting the award-winning photographic artists showcase language, a connection to land and the role body parts play in relating emotions.
The exhibition brings together five of Martine’s arts-based collaborations which focus on her work around Western Australia – from Broome, out to Kalgoorlie and south to Margaret River – exploring a fascination with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language and Country.
Presented to coincide with and to celebrate the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages, which starts next year, the exhibition highlights the link between Elders, language speakers and the land, emphasising the cultural importance of languages.
Image: Minyirrburu, Broome, WA © Martine Perret
“When I look back on all the projects which make up the exhibition – this seven-year journey – I realise it’s quite incredible how they are all linked,” says Martine. “From a young age I was fascinated with culture and language and its intangible richness. I speak quite a few languages and have picked up lots of pieces of many from where I have worked.”
In the work Nijiniji – Connection in Yawuru – is a three-part video. Martine went to Broome and filmed Dalisa Pigram, a Yawuru speaker, choreographer and Co-Artistic Director of contemporary dance group Marrugeku. Together with composer Jonathan Mustard, they explored what it means for the physical body to be joined to our emotions, of which language plays an important part.
“Even in the time I have been working on these projects, we are now starting to celebrate these languages more than we ever have before. I’m not a linguist or a historian but an artist who uses their medium to raise awareness and tell these stories. If people want to go deeper, they can find more information, but I believe there’s always a place for artists to tell these stories.”
Gungurrunga Ngawa 1 (Look Above), 2015 series © Martine Perret
Born in France, as a photojournalist Martine spent a decade working for the United Nations in hotspots such as Timor-Leste, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She eventually found herself settling in Margaret River and has continued to be curious about culture and language.
“The cultural shift which is happening now is very exciting and fascinating. Personally, I am learning so much from it,” says Martine.
Mitchee Youp Bullargar (Coming Together) is a collection of tradition and ceremonial objects from Vivian Brockman, a Matriarch Elder from the Margaret River region. Martine created a series of video installations of Vivian sharing her deep knowledge of Country and the importance of what we leave behind.
“Each time I have been out on the land with Vivian and other Elders, their connection to land is beautiful to watch. When I first came to Margaret River I liked it, but I have liked it so much more since I have met Vivian. Now I’m connected to her, the place makes so much more sense and the land is alive with stories.”
Header image: Goldfields salt lakes © Martine Perret
Belong is open from 11 December 2021 – 30 January 2022 at the WA Museum Boola Bardip.
