Leach Highway and Welshpool Road Interchange
Mort Gooringiny mural
Meet the artist - Justin Martin
Justin is an established Aboriginal artist and cultural advisor from Perth, Western Australia. The Whadjuk Nyungar man uses traditional techniques and stories passed down from his grandmothers, Nyungar elder Theresa Walley (deceased) and well-known Indigenous artist Joan Martin (deceased). His passion for art started with the traditional dot technique; he also paints contemporary works in acrylic paint on canvas. His practice includes transferring images of his paintings onto large murals, glass and fabric. This mural, Mort Gooringiny, adds to his body of work, which includes commissions for the Water Corporation and community art for various local governments and universities.
Find our more about the artist and the artwork.
Mort Gooringiny mural
Leach Highway bridge across the Perth-Armadale train line
The traditional artwork, Mort Gooringiny, is a creation out of respect towards the communities and people before our time. The carmine red reflects the Nyungar people and their connection to country through bloodline, aliga knallakut mort gooringiny (look, their blood and bones lie in the land).
Within the red sections are meeting grounds where skin groups (large family communities) would gather. Prior to settlement, most of the Nyungar country had four main skin groups.
The small white dots are the Wandoo (native gum tree species) used by Nyungar people as a peace offering and during ceremonial dances. The Nyungar word Wandoo means welcome.
The artwork also represents various animal species that were celebrated regularly and seasonally in this area.
Moieties (or spirit animals) were selected by Nyungar elders for each individual member of the tribe, based on their characteristics. Members then had the duty of looking after their moieties or spirit animals.
The Weitj, the Emu, is a clever animal which was tracked for its eggs. It is also a powerful moiety associated with men’s business and lore These large birds were celebrated through corroboree, with a dance performed by the Bridiyas, the special men of the tribe.
The Weitj is represented in the mural by its tracks in white paint.
The Yoorna, the Western Bobtail, lives for up to 30 years and forms monogamous mating pairs for life. The old tribal people say having a Yoorna around is a good thing as they eat and chase away the snakes. The Yoorna is commonly found and eaten by Nyungar people during burn off season. The Yoorna’s tracks are included in the mural.
The Yonga, the Western Grey Kangaroo, is a very important animal for Nyungar people. The Yonga is an important food source for the whole tribe, and every section is eaten and used. The meat is high in protein, the sinew or tail tendons make strong rope, and the fur can be used as a reversible cloak. Spiritually the Yonga is connected to several tribes who base their family bloodline or skin group on the animal, and many tribal dances celebrate its importance The artwork shows the Yonga in Nyungar Coodja (country) with the stripes representing the four skin groups of Perth.
Also represented is the Dwert (dingo) which was present through the area.
Check out the time lapse of the artwork installation
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