One Sky Many Stories
Indigenous and Western astronomy through music and film.
A community engagement art project.
What do the stars mean to you?
One Sky Many Stories takes a spellbinding journey to the far reaches of the galaxy with celebrated Australian indigenous songwriter Warren H Williams and Michael Sollis, with Rachel Pelser and Wyana O’Keeffe.
Through a synthesis of storytelling, music, and film, the performance is immersed in indigenous astronomy, and encourages people from all backgrounds to explore their relationship to the night sky.
Background
One Sky, Many Stories (OSMS) was developed by Michael Sollis, Warren H. Williams, and the Tennant Creek community in Central Australia in 2018 with Barkly Arts. OSMS features music from ‘Southern Sky’, a work by Estonian composer Urmas Sisask who visited indigenous communities twenty years earlier; new music by Michael and Warren; and stories and creative reflections from the Tennant Creek community. OSMS continues the astronomically-inspired body of work developed by Michael’s chamber group, The Griffyn Ensemble, and astronomer Fred Watson.
OSMS is a coming together of western and indigenous astronomy. It is a coming together of one of Australia’s most prolific country music artists with one of the most innovative new music groups. OSMS shares the stories of a diverse group of Australians, and is a truly unique experience.
OSMS recieved an Art Music Award presented by APRA AMCOS, 2019.
The Legacy
Reverberations from the One Sky Many Stories community engagement art project have already been felt across the country. In a partnership with Belconnen Arts Centre, indigenous and non-indigenous artists across Canberra were commissioned to create new works of art inspired by the music and stories that featured in OSMS. An offshoot from that group ‘Postcards from the Sky’ created its own community and set up regular weekly meetings, and have already conducted their first exhibition.
In Central Australia, the creative development has created pathways for professional and amateur artists to pursue contemporary art music in new ways.
Immersing audiences in an exploration of indigenous and western cultures through the night sky.
Bringing together one of Australia’s most prolific indigenous songwriters with musicians from one of Australia’s most innovative chamber ensembles, One Sky, Many Stories promotes diversity, inclusion and curiosity for festivals, presenters and arts organisations.
One Sky, Many Stories is a one hour performance, with optional community and school workshops. It is appropriate for all ages and curious minds.
If you would like to discuss performance opportunities for One Sky, Many Stories, please contact us via the link below.
Notable performances
40th year of NT independence celebrations
Perth Fringe World
Extended Play Festival, Sydney
National Science Week
WINNER – 2019 Art Music Awards (presented by APRA AMCOS)
Creative Team
Warren H. Williams – Vocals, guitars
Michael Sollis – Mandolin, acoustic bass guitar
Wyana O’Keeffe – Vibraphone, cajón
Rachel Pelser – Electric guitar
Fred Watson, available on request – spoken narration
Warren H Williams
Warren H Williams is an ARIA-nominated, indigenous Aranda singer, musician, songwriter and previous recipient of the NAIDOC Artist of the Year. He has self-produced several records released on ABC Country, written and directed episodes for Aboriginal television series Our Place and holds the honour of writing the first ever Central Australian Indigenous musical Magic Coolamon.
Michael Sollis
Fred Watson - Astronomer
Reach Me
Belconnen Arts Centre
118 Emu Bank
Belconnen
ACT 2617, Australia
+61 411 113 769
contact@michaelsollis.com