A Ritual for Aruna

‘A Ritual for Aruna’ is a creative practice research project commissioned by curator Amy-Clare McCarthy and supported by her Lord Mayor's Fellowship. The piece was performed and exhibited at Milani Carpark Project Space, Brisbane, as part of the exhibition ‘An Offering’. It features an immersive installation and live performance incorporating soil, clay pots, gong mallets, incense, contact microphones, an amplifier, an LCD screen, and video documentation. The work draws inspiration from Bonita Ely's 1982 performance ‘A Mother Shows Her Daughter to the Universe’. It delves into the relationship between Naomi Blacklock and her 10-month-old daughter, Aruna, while paying homage to her matrilineal heritage. The use of incense, percussive clay pots, and a soil mandala symbolising the egg of life transforms the performance into a ritualistic experience, culminating in Naomi raising Aruna to the sky, symbolically introducing her to the universe. This gesture represents continuity and heritage, with incense symbolising spiritual communication and gratitude to ancestors. The crescendo, marked by the sounds of layered percussive pots and the uplifting of Aruna, signifies generational continuity and the transmission of cultural knowledge, emphasising the preservation of ancestral wisdom and traditions for future generations. ‘A Ritual for Aruna’ celebrates matrilineal heritage and its future, creating a transformative artistic experience that honours the enduring legacy of ancestors.