Big City Challenges – The Marrka Wangka Story
A group of artworkers have used a visit to Melbourne for personal and career development. The ten artworkers from across Central Australia took part in ‘Marrka Wangka’ – meaning ‘strong talk’ – a five day training program designed to develop confidence and skills in public speaking organised by Desart’s Aboriginal Artworker program. The artworkers came from Arlpwe Art and Culture, Julalikari Arts, Papunya Tjupi Art Centre, Titjikala Art Centre, Tjarlirli Art, Warakurna Artists, and Warlayirti Artists.
The group was set a course of personal challenges including driving up mountains, going to the 55th floor of the Rialto building, braving cold weather, city traffic, footy crowds and being squeezed into a crowded city tram. In addition they attended training workshops held at the Wilin Centre of the Victorian College of the Arts and Coonara in the Dandenong Ranges. The Artworkers created a visual story using photos from their Art Centres and presented them on stage to an audience of a hundred people.
‘It is really scary being the only person on stage with an audience.’ said Tisha Corbett, an artworker from Ali Curung. ‘Going to Melbourne we went from being shy to being able to mix with the people, introduce ourselves and talk about ourselves to strangers.’ added Tisha.
At Healesville Sanctuary near Melbourne, the artworkers were greeted by Murrindindi, a Wurundjeri elder. Murrindindi gave a traditional welcome, and guided the group through the sanctuary telling stories of his family and the history of Corranderk. He identified the local bush foods and animals, and trees that had been used for making spears and canoes. Murrindindi told the artworkers to ‘stand tall and be proud of who we are’.
One of the key roles for artworkers is talking to customers in their community Art Centres and at galleries and markets. This training addressed the need for artworkers to develop workplace skills, as part of the industry workforce development being provided by Desart.
Film maker Vincent Lamberti captured the artworkers’ experiences for a DVD to be premiered at the Araluen Arts Centre as part of Desert Mob events in September this year. The Marrka Wangka film will feature the personal journeys of the artworkers as they build stronger identities as representatives of the arts industry.
Desart’s Trainer/Mentor, Raewyn Kavanagh, said that the program was designed for experiential learning. ‘Every time the artworkers step outside their comfort zone, they give themselves an opportunity. It is not just what is learned in the classroom, but the chance to take on challenges and conquer fears.’ she said.