Nicole Monks, Gawura Guruwin, Whale Shark: Sculptural Fire Performance 

  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Max Handley
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Max Handley
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • NicoleMonks_gawuraguruwinWhaleShark_Ceremony_SxSBondi2018_Photo_JessicaWyld_034
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld.
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Max Handley
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld
  • Nicole Monks, gawura guruwin Whale Shark Ceremony, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2018. Photo Jessica Wyld

The name gawura guruwin comes from the Dharug words for ‘whale’ and ‘shark’. The whale shark, although not normally found in the Sydney basin, is depicted in a piece of rock art found at Mackenzies Point – the inspiration for this sculptural work. gawura guruwin celebrates the continuous connection of First Nations people to this land and its oceans.

Drawn by local Gadigal Elder Charles Madden, gawura guruwin was ignited as a sculptural fire on Friday 19 October at 7pm, Tamarama Beach. 

Collaborators: Nicole Monks, Uncle Charles Madden – Gadigal Elder and Artist, Kristine Townsend and Teresa Gay & nhurra (mob).