Richard
Collopy.
Artist and Traditional Custodian
Kirrae Whurrung-Gadubanud-Gulidjan
Photo Courtesy of Shane Thomson
“Language is song. It describes identity. It vibrates too and through the animals and plants of country… To read a word and sing its truth only comes when one is living in the song.”
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Richard is a renowned artist and a proud member of the Gadubanud-Gulidjan Community, which is part of the Kirrae Whurrung-Gadubanud- Gulidjan Traditional Owner group.
He has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting the culture of his people through his art and cultural education programs. Richard’s art is inspired by the traditions and stories of his ancestors. His works include paintings, carvings, and sculptures that depict the landscapes, animals, and people that are integral to the Gadubanud Landscape. His pieces are created not only for Cultural projects, installations collaborations, mentoring and literature but also serve as a means of educating the public about the rich history and traditions. Richard’s dedication to preserving his culture extends beyond his art.
He also works as a cultural educator, delivering programs for both public and private sectors. His educational programs are designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the Landscape, including its history, traditions, and customs. Through these programs, Richard hopes to inspire a greater appreciation for the Gadubanud people and their contributions to Australian culture.
Richard found painting in his earlier years and completed a Bachelor of Science at RMIT, Certs. Language and Aus. Cultural Heritage, Gips Tafe. Exhibiting since 1988.
Major projects include:
Gadubanud possum skin cloak for the Commonwealth Games, 2006; Indigenous Heritage Project at Cape Otway as Design and Construct Project Manager and Employment of 23 indigenous workers/artists, including talking hut sculpture, walking track, keeping place and several paintings; Lorne Sculpture Biennale, 2016; Pirt Koorook Spirit Trap, 2016; History display Apollo Bay Museum, 2017; Brolga and Emu consultation, Lake Bolac Festival 2018; ‘Mangroves from the water’ exhibition, Deakin Geelong, 2020. Richard is a cultural consultant to Vic Parks, Vic Police, TO steering committees VEAC Report, National Park Otways. Community projects include Kooyang Eel painting, Marra Woorn Apollo Bay, Puffing Billy sculpture, Beech Forest, signage on The Great Ocean Walk. Some Sculptural public seating to relax on the GOW. Heart mapping the Otway’s, multiple Recordings from Vinyl to soundcloud.
Ngatanwaar- Welcome
Richard Collopy greetings to the International Walking Arts conference, Prespa Greece, 2023 Youtube
You are welcome here, by Richard’s fire, to explore his artworks, Cultural storytelling and collaborative creative projects, inspired by the traditions and stories of his Ancestors and that depict the landscapes, animals, and people that are integral to the Gadubanud and Gulidjan Culture and wander through his work as a cultural educator, delivering programs for both public and private sectors. His educational programs are designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the Gadubanud Culture, including its history, traditions, and customs. Through these programs, Richard hopes to inspire a greater appreciation for the Gadubanud People and their contributions to Australian culture, past present and future.
Connection to CountryRichard is a dynamic and deeply respected artist and educator, and proud member of the Kirrae Whurrung-Gadubanud- Gulidjan Traditional Owner Group. He is dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture of his people through his art and cultural education programs. He draws respectfully on the knowledge of his ancestors: his father’s side Gulidjan, Beeac to the Buntingdale Mission, and his mother’s side Kirrae-Gadubanud, from AIIansford to Lorne [Tooram Mission].
