Aunty Kim Wandin: Murrup Biik

Aunty Kim Wandin's Murrup Biik, in collaboration with artist Christine Joy, is one of 2 artworks commissioned for the Metro Tunnel's eastern tunnel entrance in South Yarra, as part of the Legacy Artwork Program.

The artwork will sit in the South Yarra Siding Reserve and Arthur Street pocket park, which will both reopen to the public this year with new landscaping, seating and site-specific artworks.

The artwork honours the location of a significant Aboriginal cultural site as a series of sculptures inspired by Bilangs, which means string bags in Woi Wurrung language.

The Bilangs represent Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women, and acknowledges their journey across Country and work collecting food to provide for families and as Custodians of the land.

The work was chosen after the Metro Tunnel Project sought expressions of interest in 2021 from Victorian First Nations artists to create a permanent public artwork for the reserve.

A copper sculpture in a park with flower detailing. — Artwork by Aunty Kim Wandin at the tunnel entrance in South Yarra – concept only

A purple sculpture in a park with flower detailing. — Artwork by Aunty Kim Wandin at the tunnel entrance in South Yarra – concept only

A yellow sculpture in a park with flower detailing. — Artwork by Aunty Kim Wandin at the tunnel entrance in South Yarra – concept only

About the artwork

Murrup Biik – meaning ‘Spirit Country’ – aims to change the way people view Aboriginal artefacts and acknowledge that they are a living, breathing life-giving force with spirit and knowledge.

The artwork comprises 3 colourful sculptures placed across the Siding Reserve and Arthur Street pocket park in South Yarra. Each sculpture features a patterned design of Murnong flowers (native yam), which represent the harvest collected by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung women of Victoria.

Artist statement

'Murrup Biik aims to create a sense of spiritual intrigue and transformative healing for passers-by and those standing fully in the sculpture’s presence. There will be an energetic exchange of giving and understanding.'

About the artist

A woman with glasses in a gingham shirt smiling to camera.

Aunty Kim Wandin, Wurundjeri Elder and master-weaver, lives in Healesville, Victoria. Her traditional name is ‘Wandoon’ which means ‘spirits of the water'. Wandin is a basket and eel trap-maker, collecting reeds and other fibre plants on Country. The art of using reeds to make eel traps and baskets is a tradition handed down to Wandin by her Nana Ollie who was taught by Granny Jemima at Coranderrk Aboriginal Station.

Wandin plays an important role in conserving the traditions, lores, language and stories of her Ancestors. She is a Cultural Consultant and conducts Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies. She is also an educator working with children and adults, sharing culture and history from the oldest living culture in the world, as well as providing cultural immersion ‘Mirrim Ngagu’ (deep listening) for corporate groups out on Country. Wandin makes traditional baskets, wood burning and other arts-based work in the authentic style of her Ancestors.

Aunty Kim’s artistic collaborator is Christine Joy, who brings design, education, curation and community development experience to the team. Aunty Kim and Christine manage their Public Art initiative, Murrup Biik. The pair is passionate about mentoring young Aboriginal artists and creating experiences that generate awareness about Wurundjeri culture.

Discover Aunty Kim Wandin on Instagram.

Download the Aunty Kim Wandin Murrup Biik fact sheet (PDF, 4.7 MB).