2021 Moran Prize semi-finalist

BIRRUNGA

Wubunginya (Under the water; to enter, to dive)

…I have no investment in what I see in the mirror being even remotely close to what others see when they look at me. Though it made me consider what I see looking back at me in the mirror.
 
The immediate answer was a stranger. Someone I walk around in. I sat with that a bit longer because it didn’t feel like the whole story. After long consideration, it occurred to me that what I see when I look back at myself are those aspects of me that are not visible to others. In the case of this self portrait I’ve produced the feeling of intensity that I manage daily.
 
I have a couple of acquired brain injuries. One from contracting encephalitis as a 7y/o, from swimming at Bullcock Beach at Caloundra when they used the channel as a sewerage outlet, and the other from a head injury when I was ran over by a car in Buderim when I was 16y/o. The impacts of the first ABI were never immediately apparent nor understood, I just continued on as was the way in those days.
However, the impacts of the second ABI remain with me 24/7 to this day. When I was hit by the car, I went some distance through the air (around 15-20m) and landed on my head before sliding along the bitumen. I was unconscious for 3 days after having severe seizures in the emergency department of Nambour hospital.
 
When I woke on the third day, I was, and remain, permanently enraged. This along with low self-esteem and self loathing fuelled me to aggression and violence. This was a path for me until I was in my late 20s when I had a watershed experience that had me accept that I needed to manage what was happening between my ears.
 
If I had continued down that path, I’d either be dead or someone else would be dead, and/or worse, I’d be doing time. So I made a change to manage and learn from the result of that injury.
 
To this day I remain permanently enraged. I painted what I think isn’t visible to others and what I see looking back at me in the mirror, the intensity and energy of that I injury which has been one of my most significant learnings this time around.

Brisbane Portrait Prize 2021 Packers Prize

Birrunga

Burundhang Gunhungurran
(Night Rainbow)

About the artwork and sitter
 

A Gungarri / Butchulla man, Zane Saunders is a multidisciplinary performer and artist. They first met in 2019, when Zane performed at Brisbane’s Judith Wright Arts Centre and they became close during the Australia Council’s national Custodianship Program in 2020.

 “The impact was profound. I began to be exposed to Zane’s deep commitment to inhabiting the role of Custodianship. He is a man of great integrity, softly spoken, deep consideration, social conscience and cultural congruence.”

Birrunga created Dark Rainbow after seeing Zane’s performance of the same name.

“The white is skin and the turquoise is ochre. This work portrays him as energy, it is as I see him. The area of the throat is absent of colour to denote Zane’s silence in his performances.”

 

Brisbane Portrait Prize 2022 Finalist

Birrunga

Garra

Birrunga’s work explores notions of spirituality, in traditional, historical and contemporary contexts. Dedicated to exploring and bringing to light cultural and personal histories, this intriguing self portrait demands close attention.

He says of the work, “this is me Culturally, who I really am, Wiradyuri, of Wiradyuri Ngurambang (Country) Culture, Balumbambal (Ancestors) Burbang (Ceremony) Lore.

“The work includes references to our Wiradyuri men’s Diamond Lore; our Mountains; our 3 Rivers; our Plains; my personal Lore, Birrung (Sky) Lore; my Totem, Birrung (Sky); my family Lore, Story Telling; surrounded by our Central Lore, Yindyamarra (to do Slowly; to be Gentle; to be Polite; to Honour; to Respect) and by our sacred smoke moving counter clockwise around the edges of the canvas.

“All of which informs, nurtures, supports and underpins my process of becoming.”

Brisbane Portrait Prize 2021 Finalist

Kane Brunjes

Steve Renouf

About the artwork and sitter
 
 Steven Renouf is a household name. A former professional rugby league footballer who played for three decades, mostly for the Broncos. He was known as one of the sport’s greatest centres.

“Uncle Bucko has had a connection to the area of so-called Brisbane since spending time here with his sisters while on school holidays, going on to sign and play with the Brisbane Broncos, and now as an Ambassador for the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and Deadly Choices. Both Uncle Bucko and myself are proud Gunggari, Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi men.”

The portrait shows Renouf in the surrounds of country near Murgon, which holds memories of times spent with family and friends. “In this space Uncle Bucko spoke stories of growing up here and of Nan and Pa Renouf,”

Brisbane Portrait Prize 2022 Finalist

Kane Brunjes

With My Old People

About the artwork and sitter
 

This commanding portrait is a personal reflection on the importance of Country and respect for Ancestors. Kane Brunjes has positioned himself at the front and to the side, leaving space and attention in the work for the influence and impact of ancestors and land.

He says: “This work is a viewing into how I see and walk in my existence. I am surrounded by my Ancestors, something I remind myself of regularly. Faces and figures are seen throughout the piece, these are my Old People and a reflection of who I am.

“The sight of Country highlights its brilliance, with thought to its health being of the utmost importance. The object held in my hand are balance scales. This being a representation of trying to find balance within the different aspects of our lives.”

 

Brisbane Portrait Prize 2023 Next Gen Finalist

Jemma Stewart

Connection

I am a Jagera woman. This work depicts a Jagera Ancestor of mine from Meanjin. My Ancestor reached out to me through a dream. After I completed the work, my Dad shared with me that this is my Grandfather who came to me, connected with me, and stayed with me throughout the creation of this piece. The artwork’s story represents how Ancestors live through us and guide us to tell our cultural stories and help us grow in our cultural roles within our culture and community.