Wurukur Djuanduk Balag—Ancestors Are Calling

Dr Lou Bennett AM (Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung)

Composed in multiple First Peoples languages, Wurukur Djuanduk Balag—Ancestors Are Calling rejects the notion that the “artefacts” housed in Museums Victoria’s collection are merely static objects.

The song-based work, composed by Dr Lou Bennett AM (Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung)—and joined by special guests Uncle Herb Patten (Ganai-Kurnai, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri), Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy (Wurundjeri), Deline Briscoe (Yalanji), Emma Donovan (Naaguja and Yamatji) and Silo SQ—asserts that objects are alive with the spirit and energy of the countries from which they came; and are calling for their families to take them home, back to where they belong.

Wurukur Djuanduk Balag—Ancestors Are Calling is part of Moving Objects: a collection of new work by First Peoples artists, responding to the significant collections of Museums Victoria.