Trading Ways for The Royal Australian Mint

Junior Major engaged our studio to create a looping projected 3D animation for a new permanent exhibition at The Royal Australian Mint (RAM). Termed, “Trading Ways”, our animation reimagines First Nations trade practices pre-colonisation, presented in a simple, but beautiful aesthetic.

Using 3D software, we built a stylised map of Australia, with painted ochre textures, pattens and symbology etched into the contoured ridges, valleys and waterways of Country. Drifting across the surface of the map, along old trading routes are floating streams of shells, tobacco, weapons, fibres, seeds and other traded goods. The objects float through, and between, rainforest, desert and saltwater landscapes, differentiated on the map through varied palettes and pattern.

The story was visually based on Ngunnawal artist, Lynnice Church’s artwork, “Ngunnawal Trade”. The artwork depicts the four surrounding tribes and their connection to Ngunnawal Country as one of the many nations along ancient trade routes and song lines who were part of the Indigenous trade economy. Specifically, the shapes and colours reflect the landscape of a subalpine Ngunnawal Country and the places of connection within them. You can see Lynnice’s work superimposed across the mountains and other environments in the film. Harmonising the sacred knowledge and teachings with the physical environment of the Australian continent at the time. Our studio also consulted with Cheyne Halloran (Ngunnawal) and Local Elders and Knowledge Keepers of the Ngunnawal Elders Council. The soundscape was formulated in collaboration between Cheyne Halloran and J.W. Paton. They were influenced by the knowledge and stories shared by the Local Elders and Knowledge Keepers of the Ngunnawal Elders Council. And together, were able to compose a piece that emulated the etherial aesthetic of the film.

“Ngunnawal Trade” artwork by Lynnice Church

 

Trade Item Designs

 

Dilly Bag

Kangaroo Apples

Kimberly Shell Necklaces

 

Scene Sketches

Landscape Designs

Coastal

Rainforest

Desert

Trading Route Across Australia

 

Documentation Photography below by Joshua Heath

Credits

Animation: Studio Gilay

Director: Jake Duczynski (Gomeroi/Mandandanji)

Producer: Melissa Azizi

Original Art: Lynnice Church (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi)

Design: Genevieve Stewart (Kuku Yalanji/Wemba Wemba), Zoë Velonas

3D Modelling: Jalamara Towney (Wiradjuri)

3D Texturing: Dhimanth Rao, Zoë Velonas

3D Lighting: Dhimanth Rao

3D Animatic: Jalamara Towney (Wiradjuri)

3D Animation: Dhimanth Rao

Compositing: Jake Duczynski (Gomeroi/Mandandanji), Dhimanth Rao

Sound Design, Mix & Master: JW Paton (Yuin), Cheyne Halloran (Ngunnawal)

Consultation: Cheyne Halloran (Ngunnawal), United Ngunnawal Elders Council, Lynnice Church (Ngunnawal, Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi)

Digital Exhibition Design & Production: Junior Major

Special Thanks: Claire Evans, Shunji Davies, Tom Siddall

Trading Ways was commissioned and produced by Studio Gilay, a First Nations co-owned and operated animation studio based on Gadigal Country for The Royal Australian Mint Museum