The Darling / Baaka River is the major tributary to the Murray-Darling River system – the largest system on the Australian continent.
French contemporary artist JR’s multifaceted world-exclusive project for NGV Triennial, Homily to Country, draws into focus the complex issues of this river system as a consequence of intensive irrigation, climate change and drought. On 27 February 2021, a procession event featuring four 30m-long portrait photographs taken by the artist and carried by the portrait subjects themselves, including local farmers, orchardists and local Baakandji community members – made its way through the dry Menindee Lakes district in regional New South Wales to highlight the ecological decline of the Darling / Baaka River.
Some community members in the region are calling for a re-evaluation of the river policy and more sustainable irrigation practices, advocating for a new river management system based on ecological flows and Indigenous land management practices as a new benchmark to improve the health of the river.