Birrung

Birrung is a kinetic artwork developed as a collaborative work by Uncle Chicka Madden, Gadigal Elder and artist, Nicole Monks, Yamaji Wajarri/Dutch/English multi-disciplinary creative.  

Birrung pays homage to the many thousands of years connection between Aboriginal people and astronomy. Uncle Chicka regularly speaks of the significance of Aboriginal astronomy and its direct connection with local rock art, as well as First Nations’ social, cultural and spiritual knowledge. The night sky also connects Aboriginal people across Country, as well as connecting us all to the past, the present, and onto a shared future.  

This sculpture portrays the ‘Emu in the sky’, an astronomical feature that is composed of the dark spaces in the Milky Way. From east to west across Australia different language groups have their own interpretations of the ’Emu in the Sky’ that have different meaning

The artwork comprises a 17m x 5m trapezoidal steel frame in a small Redfern lane 9m above the ground. Made up of a pre tensioned stainless steel wire grid locked in position with custom button clamps, 1200 fixed and dynamic aluminium panels in gold, silver and black and framed by a custom aluminium trim creating a picture frame effect.