Gallery

Being flooded with devastating and tragic news on a daily basis of the recent bushfires as they were terrorising the land, I truly believe in cultural burning practices being reinstated across the country.

For thousands of years, our people cared for the country using this technical practice. Just imagine the amount of wildlife, homes, people and livelihoods that would have been saved had we been listening to our elders. 

My scar tree is one of the main focal points in this piece to bring awareness to the preservation of our heritage. The other focal point is the cool burning process creating new growth in a matter of days.

As the land is our mother, I have placed three women at the meeting place; My grandmother, my mother and myself, all strong women and mothers.

I have included my youngest son's handprint as a gesture to country as he too is a custodian.

From the mountains to the plains, the rivers to the desert, we need to teach the next generation to care for country. 

The Rainbow Serpent & The Murrumbidgee River 

 The Rainbow Serpent is a major part of Aboriginal Dreamtime stories that teach us how the country has been formed. The Rainbow Serpent is also known as the mother of life and the creator of our waterways. The shape of the river is followed by the curves of this colourful snake. 

The Murrumbidgee River is the local river located on Wiradjuri Country (Wagga Wagga). 

I have represented this by mirroring the shape of the river. 

The row of circles between the two represents the community, many races and cultures that utilise this beautiful river. The beautiful colours are my way of expressing the vibrancy of life that water gives us and the many activities we can be involved with, both in and around water.

The handprints represent both us and the next generation leaving their prints and caring for the water. Using this precious resource wisely is important so that we can ensure a better life for all living being. Without it, there is no life, no vibrancy and no future for our kids.