By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Burrinja Cultural Centre and Bogong Centre for Sound Culture’s partnered project ‘Between Two Sites’ have won the ‘Small Project of the Year (Gallery)’ at the 2024 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards night.
The project is an exhibition responding to the impact of human activity on habitats in the Yarra Ranges and Alpine Shire, presented by Bogong Centre for Sound Culture, curated by Madelynne Cornish and Sarah Lynch.
“I’ve always been proud of the project, and winning the award was just fantastic,” co-curator Madelynne Cornish said.
“I feel we truly earned this recognition after putting in so much hard work over the past few years – it’s incredibly exciting to see our efforts finally acknowledged,” co-curator Sarah Lynch said.
Ms Lynch said it was during a residency at the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture in 2021 that the idea of the project came to mind.
“We were inspired to create an environmental exhibition while walking around Lake Guy, especially during those in-between lockdowns – it felt right to feature female and non-binary artists, given the Centre’s history and its focus on ecological themes,” she said.
“Madelynne, with her extensive experience at Bogong, has worked with many artists who share this environmental focus, which made this idea even more compelling.”
She said it’s important to highlight the recognition they’ve received for the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture, which is a volunteer-led, artist-run organisation.
“Collaborating with Burrinja on this project allowed us to innovate and demonstrate that it’s possible to create an accessible exhibition, complete with audio descriptions, even on a limited budget,” Ms Lynch said.
“We hope this approach becomes the norm for eco-design exhibitions moving forward – the significance of this recognition lies in the fact that we were pioneers in this area, learning and adapting as we went along, it was a new experience for everyone involved, and it showcases what can be achieved through dedication and collaboration.”
Ms Cornish said the recognition comes at a pivotal moment for the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture, as they navigate some uncertainty about its future at Bogong Village.
“Receiving an award like this will strengthen our case for relevance in the area, it really underscores the importance of our work and helps ensure that we can continue to contribute to the community and the arts,” she said.
Both Ms Cornish and Ms Lynch are artists and co-curators – which made the project even more unique.
There are seven artists behind this exhibition that showcased the range of site-specific artworks of Victorian and international artists Shannon Collis, Madelynne Cornish, Lesley Duxbury, Sarah Edwards, Amias Hanley, Sarah Lynch and Anne McCallum who participated in the centre’s residency program having undertaken extensive fieldwork within Kiewa Valley, the Yarra Ranges and Alpine National Park.
Ms Cornish said they recently discovered the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture has hosted over 70 artists doing residencies, but only 30 of those were female or non-binary artists.
“It was truly rewarding to give these artists a platform to present their work, my inspiration for this came from an exhibition I saw at the Burrinja Cultural Centre a few years ago, before their renovation, called ‘Black Mist Burn Country’ – it left a lasting impression on me and when I learned they were calling for artist proposals, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pursue the project Sarah and I had discussed while walking around the lake,” she said.
“Our exhibition, ‘Between Two Sites,’ features artists responding to both the Alpine Shire and the Yarra Ranges, creating a dialogue about the environmental issues affecting these two regions – we aimed to make the exhibition accessible, a goal that sharpened as we worked on grant applications.”
The exhibition features a range of audio-visual installations, sculptural works, photography, and sound compositions that reflect the ecology of the Yarra Ranges and Alpine Shire, enhancing the viewers understanding of these environments.
“Sarah and I complemented each other, although I mentored her, I also learned a lot from her,” Ms Cornish said.
The artists in the exhibition were compensated for presenting their work, although they were not paid during their residency at the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture.
The Centre does not receive funding for its residency program, instead, it provides accommodation for the artists at no cost.
The exhibition received funding from the Yarra Ranges Council, Creative Victoria, and the Burrinja Cultural Centre, which ensured the artists received payment for their contributions.
“We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve received for this project, as well as for the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture over the years, being able to achieve this recognition means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate everyone who has been part of this journey,” Ms
Cornish said.
‘Between Two Sites’ ran from May 27 to July 1, 2023, and is now open on Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm at the Burrinja Cultural Centre, located at 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey, Victoria, Australia.
Winners of the 2024 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards were announced at a gala ceremony on Tuesday 1 October at Science Gallery Melbourne hosted by Australian comedian, composer, and broadcaster Sammy J.
