Siteworks Canoe

Led by Siteworks Associates Jim Walliss and Diego Bonetto, artists Steve Russell and Noel Lonesborough from Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Corporation, were in residence last week to tackle the challenge of making a traditional (Aboriginal) Jervis Bay canoe from the bark of a stringybark tree sourced on the Bundanon property.

The canoe was constructed in eight hours – following clear directions provided by Maritime Architect Davis Payne from the National Maritime Museum, and contemporary marine artist James Dodd who had constructed two canoes in 2010.  The Siteworks bark canoe was made from traditional materials (with a little help from a Bunnings vice), including string from the stringybark tree and beeswax and resin from the grass tree. It was to be launched at Siteworks 2011, however inclement weather led to a postponement and a landed inspection only.