the story and the vision

Reclaim the Void was born from Ngalia elders in Leonora, Western Australia, expressing their pain and grief at ‘those gaping mining holes left all over our country’. The vision, conceived by Vivienne Robertson, and elaborated with Kado & Deeva Muir from the Ngalia Heritage Research Council Aboriginal Corporation, over 10 years of yarning, is to create a huge ‘dot’ artwork, to lay on land affected by mining. The finished artwork, inspired by a painting by passed Ngalia elder and custodian for country, DW, will express a story of country by people from all walks of life from around Australia and beyond.

Country is alive with story, song, dance, law, Tjukurrpa. When we wound country, we wound ourselves, and end up with a scarred physical and cultural landscape. This project carries the desire for healing country, healing community, and healing ourselves. It is about acknowledging the hurt and contributing to restoration. It offers people the chance to learn about country and culture.

In the words of project partner and Ngalia cultural leader Kado Muir: “We’re working at a cultural and sacred level, creating a community of people each weaving their stories, contributing to an artwork that makes a statement about reclaiming the spirit of earth.

Reclaim the Void sits at the meeting place of land art, contemporary textiles, story and culture. It expresses a shared desire for conciliation and is the collaborative recognition of country as alive, vulnerable and sacred. It seeks to raise awareness of the story of country and its importance in Aboriginal culture in both its physical and spiritual dimensions. We invite you to join us.

concept image (Vivienne Robertson) based on original painting by Ngalia artist & cultural leader DW

Concept Image (Vivienne Robertson) based on original painting Tui – Claypans, by passed Ngalia artist and cultural leader DW.

from vision to reality

Reclaim the Void weaves a connection for spirit on sacred lands  | Likirri wiya palyara tjiltilku pimarra parnaku

We needed a lot of rugs! 3,000 or maybe more!! So far we have nearly 3,000 rugs, contributed from communities all over Australia, and around the world. Each one carries the beauty of intent and care that has been woven into its fabric.

We are developing a ‘rugalogue’ which will catalogue each rug made, and the stories, poems, images and words that the maker may choose to accompany their rug. The final artwork will include the tapestry of stories of all the people who have contributed to it, and will be a story in its own right, of our collective love, respect, and wish to care for country.

This project already has a life beyond any tangible outcome. It’s the journey, the story, the healing and symbolic reclaiming, the acknowledgement of careless over-consumption at others’ expense, that is central to Reclaim the Void.

The concept and intention behind the project is critical. It’s a conversation about caring for country and its custodians, and it invites everyone to be part of that through small-scale acts that collectively make something very special.

This project isn’t ‘anti-mining’, it’s about walking forwards together in an act of healing, caring for country and community engagement. Guided by cultural protocols and practical possibilities, the final artwork will be brought to life on the country for which it was created - a symbol of hope and healing.

photo: Lucy Ridsdale

The original painting Tui by passed Ngalia artist and cultural leader DW, on which our collaborative artwork will be based.

We’ve dug 80,000 holes across sacred land.

We dump 500,000 tonnes of fabric and clothing every year.

Can we give our hands and hearts in healing to create 3,000 rugs to lay on country?

Donate to Reclaim the Void