Artists In The House

• Mundara Koorang
• Nganuwaay Koolyn
• Novy

Mundara Koorang

Winner of the DCS Humanitarian Award 2010

Biography
Mundara was born in 1952 in the Eora (Sydney) NSW area and is a descendant of the Gamilaroi people. Mundara’s grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother was all born in the Barwon River, Brewarrina area.

In 1992 Mundara owned and operated ‘Jay’s Auto Stables’ and was recognized as one of the best spray painters in the vehicle industry. Due to illness he had to close the business and hence began his education. His first introduction to education began with a short security license course at Naamoro in Sydney where he also ran panel beating and spray courses for young Indigenous men. Shortly afterwards Mundara completed a media course at Naamoro and won a scholarship to the Center of Photography, to undertake a course in black and white photography. In 1993 Mundara completed a CABE course at the Eora College in Chippendale, Sydney, a CGE course in 1994 and a Fine Arts Course in 1995. In 1995 he won the Faculty Award for Aboriginal studies, being the first Indigenous person to do so as well as the Qantas Encouragement Award at the AJC.

In 1996 Mundara began his Bachelors Degree in Adult Education which he completed in 1998 at the University of Technology in Sydney. Mundara was chosen in 1998 to represent the University at the International First Nations Indigenous Youth Education Conference in Wellington, New Zealand. He went on to become a founding member of its alumni organization. Mundara also taught several TAFE classes during that year.

In 1999 Mundara began a Masters Degree, discovering after one year that he was an insulin-dependent diabetic. He took 2000 off to recover and returned to the University of Technology in 2001 to restart from the beginning a Masters Degree in Indigenous Social Policy, which he has completed. Mundara is on sabbatical from a Doctorate of Education. In recent years he has acquired a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, Brush Farm Security Certificate, Train the Trainer Certificate and a DCS Computer Training Certificate. It must be noted here that Mundara did not learn to read and write until he was 27 years old.

Mundara is the Managing Director of the House of Koorang Pty Ltd, a wholly owned and operated Indigenous art and design wholesale and manufacturing Company, the largest Aboriginal owned wholesale and manufacturing company. He was also a director of NIAAA at the request of the Late Dr Charles Perkins. The first product in the market place to contain the ‘Label of Authenticity’ was Mundara’s.

He taught literacy & numeracy, science, cutural studies, legislation, art & drawing and history at TAFE and outreach schools. Mundara is currently the only known male Aboriginal educator in a correctional facility, where he teaches literacy & numeracy and cultural studies.

The 'Indigenous Cultural Protocol Request Form' was created by Mundara for all Indigenous organisations and communities to use when approached for photographs,items,interviews,dance,songs and images.

Exhibitions
Mundara has had numerous major and collective exhibitions internationally and nationally and has won many art, photographic, and sculpture awards. These include the inaugural ‘Sorry Day’ Poster competition, the 1999 David O’Chin Photographic Award and a commendation from the David Unaipon Writers Award for a book of poetry entitled ‘Say You're Sorry’.

In 1995 he was invited by the Australian Ambassador in Bonn, Germany to hold a major exhibition in Cologne, Germany as part of ‘Experience 95’. This exhibition opened the door for future Indigenous contemporary artists to exhibit in Europe. His artwork was exhibited at one of the first Australian Indigenous exhibitions in Moscow, Russia. On his return to Sydney NSW he held the largest sole artist exhibition in Australia at the Woolloomooloo Gallery.

The cover and illustrations for the widely used law book Indigenous People and the Law in Australia were created by Mundara, as well as the illustrations for the ‘Mabo Land Rights’ Packages for law students and the community.

‘Alcheringa Spirit’ an Australian Limestone sculpture displayed in the foyer of the ATSIC Commission in Sydney was sculpted by Mundara.

Other activities
Mundara has donated to and sponsored a multitude of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community organizations, such as the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, and the Cancerian Foundation. His sponsorships include trophies for the South-east Queensland Indigenous Sports Awards, respite centres, the Beenleigh, Beaudesert and Logan Combined Housing, children's hospitals,Link-up, Juvenile Justice and state primary and high schools. Mundara sponsorsed a boxer competing in an overseas tournament,an athlete attending the Canberra Sports Clinic, and an Illawarra Indigenous rugby team, just to name a few.

One of Mundara’s primary passions is copyright law and justice for Indigenous contemporary visual and performing artists, and changes to the legislation that permits the importation of imported products from Asia that are passed off as authentic Aboriginal products. His work in this area consists of sharing information on copyright law, contract building and negotiation, and all facets of beginning and operating Indigenous businesses.

However Mundara's prime focus is on education - he believes that the only way Aboriginal people can change their socio-economic status is through education. He has worked tirelessly in supporting, sponsoring and inspiring Aboriginal people in attending TAFE and university.

As an actor Mundara has appeared in the ABC’s mini series ‘Heartlands’, GP, Water Rats, Police Rescue, Wildside and a feature film called Race the Sun starring James Belushi

In 2005 Mundara had his first children's contemporary Dreamtime story book for young and new readers published entitled The Little Platypus and the Fire Spirit.

Nganuwaay Koolyn Koorang

Nganuwaay Koolyn is a descendant of the Gamilaroi people of the Brewarrina (Ngunnhu) area and the ancient dry-stone fish traps. Nganuwaay has exhibited in Europe, USA, UK and nationally.

Nganuwaay sold her first painting at the ripe age of 14 to a Belgium official and has won several art competitions since. With her brother she curated her first exhibition for her dad at the age of 10 and has since provided artwork for many Indigenous communities for their NAIDOC Celebrations. At the age of 18 Nganuwaay Koolyn was an assistant Director of the National Illicit Drug Campaign in Queensland and held classes for local community members in art, crafts and cooking.

Nganuwaay Koolyn’s artwork is inspired by the Dreaming, Traditions and stories of her ancestry. Her natural and devoted connection with the spiritual vibrations of her culture, flow into her artwork creating a balance of harmonies and spiritual visualisations. Her artwork is unique, beautiful and spiritual breathtaking.

Currently Nganuwaay is undertaking her Bachelor’s Degree in Adult Education and for many years she has worked with Aboriginal communities in literacy, numeracy and Aboriginal Culture and protocol. Additionally Nganuwaay Koolyn is working as an Aboriginal Education Assistant, Cultural Advisor and councillor to Aboriginal children and young adults at two major Sydney High Schools. She has also appeared as an actor in several Australian Drama series and is well known for her pastille dot work on wedding dresses and satin outfits and accessories.

Nganuwaay is the daughter of Mundara Koorang, renowned International and National Aboriginal Art and Elder of the Eora (Sydney) people.Nganuwaay’s great grandmother and great-great grandmother were born in Ngunnhu area. Nganuwaay’s great grandmother was separated from her family after the death of her mother, when she was only 13 and was sent to the Cootamundra Home for Girls under the banner of assimilation. At Cootamundra, Aboriginal girls were instructed to 'think white, look white, and act white'. This was part of the process to make the girls suitable wives for white men, in the hope that through interracial marriages, Aboriginal blood would be 'bred out'. They were taught to look down on their own people and to fear Aboriginal men. There were many horror stories of what the girls had to suffer at the Cootamundra Girls Home before its
closure in 1969.

Novy