Awarded to Mick Harding for his artwork, Baan Biik Woora Woora Water, Land and Sky.
In January 2024, Mick Harding, from the Yowong-Illam-Baluk and Nattarak Baluk clans of the Taungurung people, was awarded a $20,000 commission to create the ACMI First Nations Welcome Installation in the form of a vibrant animation inspired by the artist’s illustrated artworks. Mick worked in collaboration with his son Mitch Harding to develop the work.
The commission, awarded by a panel including members of the museum’s leadership team, celebrates Victorias First Nations peoples’ and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the land that ACMI is situated on – the Wurundjeri people of the Eastern Kulin Nation – and their connection to the lands, waters and skies. The installation sits pride of place in ACMI’s Fed Square foyer acknowledging that Australia’s museum of screen culture is, and always will be, situated on Aboriginal land.
We warmly congratulate Mick Harding on being awarded this $20,000 commission to create our First Nations Welcome Installation. Mick impressed all of us on the panel with his vision for a striking animation, inspired by his illustrated artwork, which combines elements of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art. This installation will reinforce ACMI’s reputation for being a welcoming hub for communities to gather – where local and international visitors can experience a strong connection to Country as they engage with screen culture.
The ACMI First Nations Welcome Installation draws inspiration from an untitled 2023 artwork featuring seven of Mick’s illustrations, that depict plants, wildlife and the elements in the style of the artist’s iconic south-eastern geometric patterns. Capturing a dynamic and energetic spirit, the animation presents motifs such as a flowing river, swirling wind and a flying cockatoo, accompanied by an original soundscape featuring sounds of Country and singing in traditional language.
About Mick Harding
Mick experimented with the moving image in his Master of Fine Art at Gippsland’s Federation University, where he exhibited as part of La Trobe Regional Gallery’s group show Sounds of Country (2016). Mick works in illustration, woodworking, sculpture, printmaking and giftware, and his work has been commissioned for public and private collections. Through his company Ngarga Warendj Dancing Wombat, Mick creates products that are created by hand and via ethical licensing agreements, to showcase his own art and works inspired by traditional Aboriginal designs.
I like to say ‘art is a rainbow of many things’ and I’m always mindful of my own practice demonstrating an openness to this. It’s fantastic to have ACMI’s support to create a moving image work that honours the Kulin Nations. My hope is that this installation will make everyone feel welcome on Country when they visit the museum.
