‘Presentation Women’
Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park WA
- October 2020
A mural to celebrate the Presentation Sisters, Nano Nagle’s legacy, and all the generations of Ionian women who follow in their footsteps.
This work evolved from several months of research, consultation and interviews with staff, students and the Sisters themselves. My investigations revealed several important stories about Presentation history and the role of the Sisters in Iona’s journey to become not only a distinguished institution but an iconic community. Among these, a palpable connection between generations of presentation women and a culture amongst them that has remained relevant through varying geographical, cultural, and historical conditions. This really caught my interest.
Running through the centre of this culture are the underpinning Presentation values of service, hospitality, compassion and education, and a history of resilience, pioneering and dedication. This is the thread that connects these women and people across various contexts. Transcending time and space. This is the distinct sense of community and purpose that can be observed among present day Iona students. Regardless of how strongly they subscribed to the religious side of Iona’s foundations, they all feel connected to those core Presentation values and empowered by what Nano stood for. This, to me, is what makes the Sister’s legacy significant and achievements worth celebrating.
The geographical journey that lead to Iona’s establishment in Mosman Park, Western Australia, is illustrated through flowers. Nano is surrounded by species from Ireland, in particular the regions around Cork. Moving towards the founding Sister these gradually transition from Irish species to Western Australian species, starting with those from Geraldton and the mid west. The more contemporary sister and then the students, are surrounded by species from the Swan River Region. All the species used also have visual qualities that both reference the colour palette sampled from iconic lead-light depictions of Nano Nagle’s story, and Christian & Presentation iconography. Many species depicted feature only four dominant petals or cross-shaped stamens and structures. Others have a visual similarity to flames and lanterns - referencing Nano’s Lantern.
This piece came to fruition through close collaboration with eiw Architects and Artcom Fabrication. Thanks to Anne and Ian, from Iona, for giving me the space to discover a story within Iona’s greater story. Also thanks to Morgan, for joining me on the brushes. Special thanks to Dane for your management, and to Tim for suggesting me as a candidate with such belief in my abilities!
