Scarborough Hand – March 2018
Indigenous artist, Kylie Graham, designed an iconic entry statement for the redevelopment of the Scarborough Beach foreshore. Her idea was to create a giant, 3.5 metre high hand casting sand in representation of the indigenous Whadjuk welcome gesture of celebration, inclusion and peaceful co-existence. The Hand forms a welcome to all who visit Scarborough Beach and serves as a reminder that they are visiting Whadjuk Noongar Land.
“The Sculpture represents a hand casting sand. The light (Yellow glow) identifies the sand being cast into the water. Traditionally, Noongars lived on the coastal areas in the seasons of summer, or Birak, and moved inland with the onset of winter, Makuru. (I have) designed a dolphin and fish for the back of the wrist of the hand, as sea mammals were important as a part of our food source. Songs would be sang, water would be tapped, and the dolphins would know to drive the fish inland for the Noongar to feed their families.”
“Our spiritual connection to country guides the way we understand, navigate and use the land. The Giver of Life, Waugal, dominates the earth and sky, and makes the thunder, lightning and rain. By casting sand into the river or body of water we acknowledge and show respect for our spiritual ancestors. Our knowledge of the seasons was given to us by Waugal and passed down by our Elders.”
Kylie Graham – Artist