Lewis Wandin-Bursill
Lewis Wandin-Bursill is a proud young Wurundjeri artist of the Woi-wurrung language group. He has always lived on Country in Healesville.
As an emerging artist, Lewis’ recent works have been informed by his interest in the traditional ways of finding food and the implements that we used in this pursuit.
Wood-carving has always been an integral part of Aboriginal culture and Lewis has been gifted the knowledge of his Ancestors.
Lewis’ wood burning designs (pyrography) reference his relationship with his four times great Uncle William Barak, exploring symmetry and the natural lines of nature.
‘Dagan’ (club)
Lewis works with Wurun (Manna Gum, Eucalyptus viminalis) and Californian Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa). Lewis created his ‘dagan’ club from the branch of a gum tree where the parasitic plant, mistletoe, attached itself to the tree, causing a bulbous protrusion on the branch.
The ‘dagan’ (club) was traditionally used as a weapon for hunting. The wood is sourced on Country in the Yarra Ranges and is prepared by removing the bark by either carving or burning it off over a fire as Lewis has done.
Projects
Lewis Wandin-Bursill contributes to Murrup Biik projects by creating wood carvings and large-scale lino prints that draw inspiration from his great-uncle, Wurundjeri leader William Barak, and reflect the enduring presence and cultural significance of Aboriginal people on Country.