In a vibrant fusion of traditional Indigenous storytelling and contemporary art, Molly Hunt has launched her latest project, Djadulawuy II, at the Museum of World Culture (Världskulturmuseet) in Sweden. The installation weaves a powerful narrative drawn from Indigenous Australian dreaming stories from the Djambarrpuyngu clan of the Yolngu people, highlighting themes of dreams, power, and connection to Country. Featuring comic style frames of a Darrpa-King Brown snake gliding towards an oyster rock to clean and sharpen its fangs after—its shiny scales catching the light—this work embodies the enduring strength of oral histories and cultural knowledge.
Molly, the eldest daughter of Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) staff member Derek Hunt, drew inspiration from her family's deep cultural roots. As Candidate Relationship and Liaison Officer in BIITE's Graduate School, Derek contributed key research to the project, collaborating with elderly family members—including his grandmother's younger sisters—and archival materials from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. These included historical recordings, traditional artefacts, and insights from a book co-authored with a researcher who worked alongside Molly's great-grandmother in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
"This project is a heartfelt nod to my grandmother's dreaming stories," Derek shared. "It's about passing on that knowledge through art and research, keeping our stories alive for the next generation.”
The Djadulawuy II exhibition captures the essence of "Both Ways" learning—a cornerstone of BIITE's approach to Indigenous education—blending Western artistic formats with ancient narratives. Molly's work not only showcases her emerging talent but also underscores BIITE's commitment to fostering Indigenous Australian creativity, cultural preservation and research.
As Australia's leading provider of tertiary education for Indigenous Australians (RTO 0383), BIITE is proud to support staff like Derek, whose personal and professional journeys amplify our mission: "We educate to liberate." Projects like this highlight how our community members bridge family lore with global platforms, promoting Indigenous education and storytelling on an international stage. The exhibition aligns seamlessly with BIITE's ongoing efforts to embed cultural custodianship in all facets of learning, from VET certificates to higher degrees delivered across Kungarakan and Warai Country in Batchelor, Arrernte Country in Alice Springs, and Larrakia Country at our Casuarina campus.
BIITE acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where this story unfolds—Kungarakan and Warai peoples—and pays respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We celebrate Molly's achievement as a testament to the resilience of Indigenous Australian knowledge systems.