Boodja Dwordak Wirn - illuminart stories in light

Boodja Dwordak Wirn

Who

Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation

Where

Monjingup Reserve, Esperance

When

13th -15th December

What

Cultural Collaborations

Boodja Dwordak Wirn beckoned us on a winding journey through the wonderful wetlands of Monjingup in Kepa Kurl, blending cultural storytelling with the unique landscape through the special magic of light projection and sound.

Delicate luminous pathways led us under vast tree guardians to reflective shores in the land of the Tjaltjraak. Floating through an elaborate lantern trail as we listened and learned, we meandered into an oceanic immersion to sway with the powerful salty swell.

Boodja Dwordak Wirn means ‘Bringing Country’s Spirit Back to Life’.

This reawakening project launched in 2023 with First Lights. Developing over time, in December 2024 the project culminated in an immersive and tactile experience, featuring artistic community installations and celebrating the beautiful natural features of Kepa Kurl in the unique atmosphere of the evening.

Each vibrant element deepened our connection with Country and cast a magical glow of cultural wonder and wisdom over water and glade. Artistic contributions of the local Wudjari families of Kepa Kurl and the local community were an incredible feature of this three night event on Kepa Kurl.

This community project is all about coming together to care for and connect with the Country we now share, and to create positive change for the future.

For more information about the event experience and its outcomes head here.

This event was presented by Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, in partnership with illuminart, and is proudly supported by Lotterywest.

"It was so beautifully displayed & the storytelling was perfectly represented together with subtle sounds & light creating a mystical, spiritual & artistic installation. Loved it!"

  • Community made lanterns with waalitj (eagle) between
  • Illuminated community made lantern forest in the bush
  • Illuminated community made lantern forest in the bush
  • Full moon overlooking oceanic immersion space at Boodja Dwordak Wirn
  • People enjoy the unique community lantern forest at Boodja Dwordak Wirn
  • A starfish painted on a community lantern, each one totally unique
  • Community made supersized flowers were displayed as part of the trail
  • Friends enjoy the glow of the lantern forest at Boodja Dwordak Wirn
  • Endangered species, the honey possum, are revealed through projection art at Monjingup nature reserve.
  • Seals, endangered species here in Kepa Kurl, revealed through projection on Country.
  • A luminescent tjaltjraak sculpture cannot be distinguished from the real tjaltjraak trees that surround it. Artwork by Sharyn Egan, Colleen Frost and community members.
  • Vivicka Dabb Walker tells onlookers "ancestors are here, they have always been here, we have just forgotten how to listen to them."
  • An oceanic immersion reveals a beautiful life underneath the waves
  • Lantern forest under the canopy at Monjingup Reserve, Kepa Kurl
  • The beautiful bush brushes against us on the intimate pathways of the wetland reserve.
  • Incredible tjaltjraak trees, native to Kepa Kurl
  • Arrival on site at half moon to install Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • Exposed pathways reveal coastal sounds and open skies on Kepa Kurl
  • Community gather in wonder to enjoy all the unique creativity of each community made lantern.
  • A supersized bardi grub from the lands of Kepa Kurl glows under lights on Monjingup Reserve.
  • Endangered species are revealed in mystical projection at Boodja Dwordak Wirn
  • Handcrafted supersized wildflowers adorn the pathways of the light and art trail on Monjingup Reserve.
  • Each lantern has pride of place within the group of 57 hand made wonders.
  • Welcome to Country spoken by Elder Kevin Reynolds Snr
  • Vivicka Dabb Walker invites onlookers to help bring Country's spirit back to life on Kepa Kurl.
  • The world beneath the waves is revealed within the oceanic immersion at Monjingup Reserve for Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • Peering through the fabric into the green glow of an oceanic world
  • Our delightful swimming friends beneath the waves remind us of the beauty in the ocean.
  • Mysterious fog takes us along the boardwalk to a special hidden ceremony.
  • Waalitj (eagle) spreads wings over the land while the Dreamtime story of the stolen eggs at Mandaboornap is shared.
  • Each lantern celebrates its own unique part of Kepa Kurl.
  • Community capture memories of each community made lantern at Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • Walking through the glowing avenue, each lantern celebrates its own precious part piece of Kepa Kurl.
  • A hand made supersized version of the tiny grubs of the land help keep the soil and plants healthy here on Kepa Kurl.
  • The archway beckons us toward the first projection experience on the sound and light art trail.
  • Vivicka Dabb Walker asks us to listen to Country.
  • This is a wonderful hand made puppet of the waalitj (eagle) made by the community to share the story of the stolen eggs.
  • Lanterns glow in many colours through a lovely soundscape on Monjingup Reserve.
  • Glowing lanterns tell the story of the land mingled with a lovely soundscape of the six seasons on Monjingup Reserve.
  • A delightful experience to walk through the glowing sentinels in the serene evening.
  • Huge hand made wildflowers show us the hidden gems of Kepa Kurl.
  • A dragonfly glows in the distance as we walk along the delicate pathways at Monjingup Reserve.
  • An aerial view of the lantern forest on display at Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • Dusk over the water at Monjingup Reserve.
  • The water's edge where many dragonflies gather in the sunlight.
  • An aerial view of Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • People gather to enjoy the educational oceanic immersion as part of the sound and light trail on Monjingup Reserve.
  • A hidden surprise as projected dancers reveal local stories about the special animals that live on Kepa Kurl, with beautiful music by Clint Bracknell
  • A hidden surprise meets those on the trail a projections reveal dances about life on Kepa Kurl, with original music by Clint Bracknell.
  • Carefully placed pathway lighting guides us around the trail on Monjingup Reserve.
  • A fabulous cultural dance on the journey includes STARS students and Clontarf Academy.
  • These incredibly fragile handmade bittern sculptures were placed along the path with a beautiful evocative soundcape revealing their unique sound.
  • The boardwalk was the perfect place to enjoy the cultural dance through the specially placed fog for that extra sense of mystery.
  • Each lantern tells a special story of Kepa Kurl. These are spotted quoll, which are a highly endangered species.
  • The detail in the handcrafted flowers is incredible to see.
  • Large handmade wildflowers dotted around the trail were given special lighting to ensure they were displayed in their fullness through the evening journey.
  • At dusk this bright red display was incredibly striking.
  • Loz and Justin two amazing technical crew from WA, who joined our team especially for Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • Selena from PAV installing uplighting on signage near the Welcome area.
  • The Welcome to Country was a perfect induction to a unique and precious experience at Monjingup Wetland.
  • The exit lantern was displayed with special messages in cultural language to take back into the world.
  • A spider web glows in the blue light ready to catch some dinner!
  • Craig Laurendet has a thoughtful moment on during installation.
  • Crew including Justin Powell, Tom Kitney, Cassandra Douglas, Laurie Caddy as well as Jennell Reynolds from Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation.
  • The tree begins to glow, Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • Afternoon light through trees during installation and testing.
  • Mallee fowl used to walk here on Monjingup. They are endangered species.
  • Community lanterns reveal the wonders of Kepa Kurl.
  • A forest of lanterns glows under the tree canopy.
  • A local frog is delighted to join us on our walk!
  • Some of the amazing team and guides from Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation.
  • Jennell Reynolds gives a waterside induction to team members from PAV and illuminart.
  • Guests wander, mesmerised, through the glowing soundscape of the lantern forest.
  • A glowing spotted quoll is a delightful apparition amongst the trees in the reserve. Once found throughout Australia, now it is truly endangered.
  • A beautiful glowing mallee fowl takes a look at us as we wander through the trail at Monjingup Reserve.
  • The handmade lanterns beckon participants through the archway.
  • The security team from SAS were on hand to ensure safety from dusk till dawn.
  • The exit lantern wove cultural language through the hearts and minds of those who came to Boodja Dwordak Wirn.
  • The bittern tended their eggs and looked up at the full moon amongst the reeds.
  • Community listened to the amazing song about the waalitj, the eggs and the islands, a Dreamtime story of the area known as Mandaboornap.
  • The flesh footed shearwater has an unforgettable sound which was revealed in the soundscape as part of the beautiful art trail around the nature reserve.
  • Vivicka Dabb Walker introduces us to the ancestors.
  • Lizards enjoy the water at gnamma holes thanks to the well placed sticks enabling them to quench their thirst without drowning.
  • During the day the supersized bardi grub is just as impressive as when it glows at night.
  • Tom Kitney, Craig Laurendet and Samantha Ray enjoy a warm moment at the lake.
  • Cassandra Douglass, Tom Kitney, Jennell Reynolds and Samantha Ray during installation.
  • The Tjaltjraak tree is the namesake of the Kepa Kurl people and this sculpture is almost impossible to tell apart from the real trees amazing work by Sharyn Egan, Colleen Frost and community members.
  • The beautiful puppets on display delighted and intrigued onlookers as part of the Mandaboornap story made by the community.
  • The Western Ground parrot is a beautiful bird with an unmistakable sound.
  • The animated flesh footed shearwater has an unforgettable sound in artwork by Jennell Reynolds.
  • The spotted quoll doesn't make a sound except for its little feet on the beautiful earth. Artwork by Jennell Reynolds.
  • Velvet like flowers adorn the archway at the entry to the trail. Artwork by Jennell Reynolds animated by Zero Shaw.
  • A lush texture awaits at the oceanic immersion.
  • Beautiful animated cultural artwork mingles with the moving image of the underwater world of Kepa Kurl.
  • Take a walk along the boardwalk through the quite night to find the mysterious dancers in the bushland.
  • Waterside induction by Jennell Reynolds.
  • PAV and illuminart wait for the plane as we head down to Esperance for our Technical site visit.
  • Pathway lighting creates a mysterious unknown quality at Monjingup Reserve.
  • Cindi Drennan sets up for initial projection tests at the very first site visit after project go-ahead with Jennell Reynolds and Jane Cockburn standing close behind in anticipation.
  • Jennell Reynold's artwork displays beautifully across the water on an extremely still night during initial site tests.
  • Program page 1 Boodja Dwordak Wirn
  • Program page 2 Boodja Dwordak Wirn
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  • More info

    Boodja Dwordak Wirn’s inception performance on Country, First Lights, took place during May 2023 in a partnership between Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Fremantle Biennale and Stellar Lights.

    First Lights: Boodja Dwordak Wirn, was led by Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and the six Wudjari families of Kepa Kurl (Esperance).

    The cultural content for the First Lights performance was developed by Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation with contributions from Kepa Kurl Wudjari six family groups, the Dabb, Boxer-Rogers, Reynolds, Yorkshire/Knapp, Bullen and Tucker families, and led by local Wudjari artist Jennell Reynolds (Nannapa).

    Across the white sand beaches and ancient granite domes of the Esperance foreshore, stories were revealed of deep connections and knowledge of sea Country. Of ancient rhythms between ancestors, wadarn (ocean) and the many creatures that call this place home.

  • Our Partners

    Lotterywest logo

  • Project Team

  • credits

    Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation Credits:

    Welcome to Country:
    Elder Kevin Reynolds Snr

    Lantern Forest:
    Naomi Stanizki
    Mylene van Heijster
    Candice Smith – Visual Artist
    Team at Jatek Engineering
    Community members
    ETNTAC staff

    Cultural Dance:
    Kyle Morrison : Choreography and dance director
    Clint Bracknell : Composer, lyrics and vocals
    David Riley, Moniquah Graham & Talisha Dempster : Youth Dance Mentors
    Wanika Close
    STARS Students
    Clontarf Academy

    Tjaltjraak Sculpture:
    Sharyn Egan – Visual Artist
    Colleen Frost – Textile Artist
    Community Members

    Jennell Reynolds : Visual Artist, Artistic Director, Event Mananger ETNTAC
    Zoe Bullen : Cultural Consultant
    Hayleigh Graham : Cultural Consultant
    Jane Mulcock : Community Program Facilitator

  • Project Data

Project Blog