Rare Works By Wurundjeri Artist William Barak Will Return To Vic, But They Had To Be Bought

Two rare pieces of art by Wurundjeri leader and artist William Barak have been bought and will return to Victoria after they were auctioned in the US. But it’s fucked that the art had to be bought back in the first place. The pieces of art are a painting called “Corroboree (Women in possum skin cloaks)” and a parrying shield. They were auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York on Thursday May 26, National Sorry Day. They were ultimately purchased because of a massive crowdfunding effort by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cutural Heritage Corporation, which raised over $110,000. The Victorian Government ended up contributing $500,000 to the crowdfunding effort at the very fkn last minute.

Two artworks by Wurundjeri artist William Barak are officially returning to Country.

Until this morning, the pieces have been in the hands of a Swiss family.

But after a successful auction bid this morning, it's been confirmed the artwork is coming home. pic.twitter.com/TayDPyD3Qb

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) May 26, 2022

William Barak’s Parrying Shield. Credit: Sotheby’s

Mandy NicholsonThe Age Ron JonesABC 7.30 

“If people follow our history, it’s a great learning tool to show that we didn’t have a written history so Uncle William’s paintings were depicting our culture and our history, through drawings.

“If people know how to read William Barak’s paintings, he’s telling the story of Wurundjeri people, not just Wurundjeri but all the people living on Coranderrk.”

According to the ABCJules de PuryThe AgeSandra de Pury

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