Van Dieman's Voyagers - Woollarawarre Bennelong

Unveiling "Woollarawarre Bennelong," an exceptional ink that embodies the rich, multifaceted journey of an extraordinary man. Bennelong, of the Wangal clan and the Eora people, an Indigenous group of tribes and clans of the Port Jackson area around what is now Sydney, stood as a significant figure in the early history of colonial Australia. He bridged two vastly different worlds, being the first indigenous Australian to grace the shores of England.

This exquisite ink captures Bennelong's story, mirroring his life's vibrant complexity and his unique role as an interlocutor between the British colonisers and his people. In the bottle, it appears a harmonious blend of instant coffee and dark forest green, but its true magic unfurls once it meets the paper.

Upon contact, the ink blossoms into a deep eucalypt green, reminiscent of the lush bushland of Bennelong's homeland. This verdant hue whispers tales of ancient gum trees, under whose shade Bennelong first learnt the ways of his people.

As the ink dries, it unveils a mottled tapestry of colours. Rosy pink blushes in the wetter areas, evoking the vibrant Australian sunsets that painted the skies of Bennelong's youth. Where the ink is thinly spread, an earthy brown emerges, symbolising the very soil of his native land that nurtured and sustained the Eora people.

In a surprising twist, the ink teases out highlights and halos of green and blue, mirroring the crystal-clear waters of Sydney Harbour, where Bennelong encountered the British for the first time.