'Dja Dja' maps the landscape of the Macedon Ranges - the southernmost extension of the Great Dividing Range. The area is the traditional land of the Dja Dja Wurrung and other indigenous groups which is dotted with a rich number of indigenous heritage sites.

 

The piece consists of a Spotted Gum parallelogram ‘drape’ over an interlocking Blackbutt frame with topographic contours of the various mountains and dormant volcanoes engraved into the timber while the rivers and creeks are inlaid in brass. The form of the piece was conceived with references to Aboriginal ‘Bunyip’ mythology - a mysterious crawling creature said to lurk in creeks.

 

Numerous dormant volcanoes in the mapped area are represented by inlaid igneous stone discs. Each of the stone samples was collected during hikes around the area. The irregular rock samples were cross cut and then cored to create the discs before being wet sanded and polished.

 

These stone inlays also serve to reference the indigenous axe-grinding site at the base of Mt Macedon (also known as Geboor or Geburrh in the Aboriginal Woiwurrung language) - still evident today in the form of a large sandstone boulder with thirty-one grooves made by the sharpening of stone axes.

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* As with all Sawdust Bureau pieces, this design is made to order, therefore every aspect is fully customisable. Feel free to contact us to discuss your exact specification.