Black Speed is the outcome of a collaboration between Ray Mudjandi of Marrawuddi Arts and Culture and Rona Rubuntja of Hermannsburg Potters. It represents Ray Mudjandi’s superhero story inspired by his recent research trip to Western Aranda Country, where he met with his father’s family for the first time. During this trip, Ray travelled to Hermannsburg Potters where he drawn to using clay as a medium. He cultivated a working relationship with Rona and they developed this collaborative scultpure. Together, Ray and Rona hand built this vessel, developing the story. Then Rona finished the work with underglaze painting. This story focuses on a Bininj kid who received superpowers after touching a rock that fell out of the sky (which happened to be from Karlu Karlu, Devil’s Marbles). After touching this rock the Bininj kid suddenly becomes fast and powerful when playing basketball – which is directly referenced on the hand-made vessel.

“Realiu was his name before Black Speed. Mealiu is the cousin brother.

Black Speed is black, yellow and orange. He’s got big noce like Bininj, like this one.” – Ray Mudjandi 2023

Rona and Ray were finalists in the 2023 King & Wood Mallesons First Nations Art Award for their collaborative sculpture Black Speed.