Pieces of Gutharraguda

Pieces of Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) was the story of Malgana artist Jimmy Poland told through material culture and a range of historical sources. Whilst the exhibition focuses on the artistic practice and journey of this well known senior community member, the project also traced the broader social, cultural, economic and historical events that have shaped Shark Bay and Denham, in Western Australia’s picturesque Gascoyne region, through the inclusion of historical objects, photographs and archival material. Jimmy’s carved pearl jewellery brings together the past and present; illustrating the convergence of Shark Bay’s pearling economy, and Malay and Aboriginal heritage and histories.