Project focus:

Birgananna: beyond the butcher dance arises out of deeply grounded practice-led research and lived experience within carceral systems; perturbed by displacement and ecosocial discontent. Hell, I graduated from the District Court's criminal justice system and learned to field dress a dead kangaroo long before finishing high school. I was trained as a butcher in my teens, but I've spent the last two decades as an artist, writer and worker. My ambition for Birgananna is driven by an undying commitment to artistic practice, and the abolition of carceral cultures in contemporary art. This major commission project is planned to strengthen a constellation of professional relationships by prioritising collaboration along a critical line of artistic inquiry. The project is focused on creative development, collaboration, cultural immersion, and the multistage presentation of a gripping and timely exhibition.

The plan is to create a challenging new body of work on Country. Throughout production the collaborative team will connect with key knowledge holders and traditional owners respectfully, responsibly, and in reciprocity with mutual benefit. The project aims to expand upon the professional capacity of those involved–especially those of us whose life's work is spent addressing the impact of carceral cultures upon Indigenous futures and relational knowledge systems. The works to be produced for this project will fuse experimental sound, video installation, painting and performance elements, alongside contemporary/cultural objects of belonging. They will be created in direct response to the skyrocketing rates of Indigenous incarceration, and will draw conceptual parallels and materiality from both the prison industrial complex and land [mis]management practices such as the Kangaroo Harvest Program.

This involves creating a new 3channel audio-visual installation, which will be accompanied by several sculptural pieces made from sustainably sourced materials; eucalyptus, rawhide Kangaroo skins, recycled waste plastics, concrete, and clay. Following the initial development and artwork production phase, the newly created body of work will be publicly presented in 2 capital cities; at West Space(Melbourne) in late 2026, and interstate at Canberra Contemporary(ACT) late 2027. Throughout all stages of research, development and creative production, this major commission project plans to enable skill-sharing and the diversification of artistic practice among the creative team. I plan to engage team members in site-specific interventions, visits to Jirrahlinga wildlife sanctuary, Loddon Prison, and Chewton Bushlands as scheduled. These activities will be facilitated by local cultural service providers; Waaman Tours and Murnong Mummas.

This project and these strengthened working relationships will work to reflect upon the devastating impacts of incarceration in Australia. Where Indigenous adults are imprisoned at over 14 x the rate of non-Indigenous adults. The project is grounded in rigorous research, with extensive lived experience and is uniquely positioned to contribute vital insights through powerful artistic translation. The project will expand on the ideas above while working from key sites, with key creatives, who will be supported by the material conditions that help to minimise risk and prioritise creative impact. Birgananna: beyond the butcher dance will amplify connection and creative autonomy by embedding artistic practice within complex local ecologies, creative economies, and critical cultural dialogues.

Mandaang guwu, Didjurigura (thank you) - Daisy