Ngala Wongga (Come Talk)

Ngala Wongga (Come Talk) was a collaboration with the Aboriginal community in the Goldfields, WA. It was a conceptual body of multimedia work that went beyond documentary and photojournalism, which created an imaginative aesthetic platform that highlighted the Elders’ connection to land while illuminating the cultural significance of Australia’s endangered languages.

A series of evocative portraits invited viewers to engage with each individual and their personal stories enhanced through a poignant story telling installation. Gungurrunga Ngawa (Look Above) was a series of aerial photographs that captured the ethereal beauty and unique shapes and textures of the Goldfield’s salt lakes. Through landscapes, portraiture and multimedia, Martine Perret’s work intertwined the story of an extraordinary and ancient land, peoples, language, and culture. Ngala Wongga was a collaboration between Martine Perret, project producer, photographer and multimedia with digital production technician, video and sound designer Jonathan Mustard. Field liaison and cultural guidance in the Goldfields was conducted by Gary Cooper, featured portraits included: Edna, Phyllis Wicker, Glenys Williams, Geoffry (Ullalla Boss) Stewart, Nyapala Morgan, Dinny Smith, Laurel (Ngunu) Cooper, Glen Cooper, James Wicker, Lorraine Griffiths.