Sacred Oz Cutwing

Sacred Oz

Details: Category: Series II; Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 17:24; Written by Site Admin; Hits: 424

Sacred Oz Productions are a small, independent self funded documentary film company. The two people behind and in front of the camera are Michael Butler and Samantha Martin, they both have now produced several broadcast documentaries around the World over a period of 10 years. Their chosen mode of transportation is an ex-military 1961 Australian Series II 'cutwing' Land Rover Ambulance, dubbed 'The Message Stick Vehicle'.

Land Rover at Victoria Museum

The Message Stick Vehicle at Victoria Museum

The production team have produced a documentary 'The Message Stick' which follows the story of the Land Rover vehicle that was transformed into a modern-day message-stick as it traveled to Aboriginal communities around Australia. By the end of the 10-year journey in the Australian outback, the vehicle had now been painted by well over 200 traditional Aboriginal Artists, re-enacting a 50,000 year-old story of traditional message sticks that were taken around Australia on foot by young Aboriginal warriors.

This unique vehicle has become a “one of a kind” piece of art and has now been exhibited in 5 major museums in Australia, showcasing the diversity of different styles of Aboriginal art. The significant elders in the film are continuing to preserve what has been passed down to them form generation to generation through self-determination.

Michael and Samantha

Michael and Samantha with the Land Rover

Samantha Martin, Production Manager of The Message Stick and a traditional Gidga Woman from the Kimberley’s in Western Australia said,"As a collaborative work of art, my view would be that this traditional and contemporary painted vehicle is a cross between a sculpture and an installation. Art spanning two mediums. Ultimately it’s a piece of cultural history for the world to experience".

Working on the doors