We are delighted to share a selection of images of Sonja and Elisa (Leecee) Jane Carmichael’s public artwork commission by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.
Sonja and Leecee have created two suspended multi-piece works entitled Ungaire (freshwater reeds, Minjerribah – North Stradbroke Island) and Quandamooka Gulayi (Quandamooka dilly bags).
One of the two pieces, portraying an enlarged dilly bag, responds to the regeneration of the traditional Quandamooka gulayi weaving technique with its unique diagonal design. Both practically and metaphorically, the revival of this practice represents and strengthens the continuous thread that binds Quandamooka people to their Ancestors.
The artwork that depicts bundled ungaire, (swamp reeds) pays homage to the cultural heart of regenerating Quandamooka weaving practices, which were almost lost to Australia’s cultural heritage. Despite occupation ungaire continues to grow strongly on Country today mostly in the rugged terrain of swampy inland places on Minjerribah. “The subtle but strong ungaire is an indication of continuing resilience today,” state the artists.
We would like to thank public art consultants Agency Projects, designer Luke Harris (Public Place), fabricator Jason Carl (Crafted Fabrications), for their contribution to this project.
‘Ungaire (freshwater reeds, Minjerribah – North Stradbroke Island)’ and ‘Quandamooka Gulayi (Quandamooka dilly bags) by Sonja and Elisa Jane Carmichael was supported by Agency Projects, who were engaged by DFAT to lead the selection, curation, procurement and delivery of five contemporary artworks across the Embassy.”
Images courtesy of the artists, DFAT and Agency Projects.
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Artworks: Ungaire (freshwater reeds, Minjerribah – North Stradbroke Island), ‘Quandamooka Gulayi (Quandamooka dilly bags) by Sonja and Elisa Jane Carmichael, 2023, located at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, commissioned by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Photographer: Chris Roque. Image courtesy of the artists and Agency Projects.
