Shannon Clohessy

Boola Boonur Djaanga Wongi - Plenty Tree Spirits Talking Wood and Glass - Exploring the Alchemy of Glass Furnace Work

In my artistic journey I find myself drawn to the captivating dance between fire and molten glass within the enchanting realm of the glass furnace. As a glass artist I am endlessly fascinated by the transformative process that takes place within the confines of the furnace. The intense heat, the orange glow, the rhythmic flow of the molten glass and the delicate choreography of my hands as I manipulate the material it all comes together in a harmonious symphony of creation. In my artwork

I endeavour to capture the essence of nature’s enchantment translating its grandeur and subtle nuances into the translucent depths of glass. The vibrant colours that mimic the changing seasons, the fluid forms reminiscent of meandering rivers and the delicate patterns inspired by the waves on the shore all find their place in my artistic repertoire. Each vibrant hue harnessing the primal forces of fire and glass. My creative process involves an intimate dialogue with the glass as I coax it to reveal its secrets and mirror the natural world that inspires me. I seek to imbue my pieces with a sense of harmony \ inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between the man-made and the organic the tangible and the ethereal. It is my hope that through this dialogue my artwork serves as a catalyst for reconnecting with the profound beauty of the natural environment and fostering a deeper sense of interconnectedness.

Sharyn Egan

Maap (Skin) Balga Resin and Acrylic on Board

This work is inspired by my ancestors use of the Balga resin for its many uses.

Stephen Taylor

In the Moment

(image from Blak Lives matter protest: Common Grace)

Acrylic on Canvas

Ben Taylor Cuimara: My pop is a Yued and Wadjuk Elder of the Nyoongar people know as Uncle Ben or Pop. He was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for significant service to the Indigenous community of Western Australia through his contributions to a range of social justice and humanitarian rights issues. This year he had the honour of becoming a Naidoc Perth life member. He is currently a member of the Anglicare Aboriginal Reference Group advisors on Nyoongar protocols to the Anglican Archbishop of Perth and is on the City of Perth Elders Cultural Advisory Committee. He also worked for more than 20 years with Aboriginal Catholic Ministry providing pastoral care at numerous major hospitals in Perth. Long before the Black Lives Matter movement swept through the world he was working to protect the lives of Aboriginal people in custody. He was a leading national voice on the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee and Royal Commission into Deaths in Custody. He is life member of the Justice Reinvestment Committee and the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA) continuing to be actively involved in issues affecting First Nations people. I chose to paint my Pop to show his story and show where I came from as a Ballardong and Wardandi man. I heard all of his stories and most of them were stories of loss and sorrow so I wanted to pick the right image of him to depict this. Which was hard to find, all the photos I found were of him smiling, but wanted to show the side of him that I know - contemplative and thoughtful. When speaking with my Pop he asked to be remembered as Uncle Ben Taylor Cuiermara who fought for justice and for my people.

SWAG Taylor

My Dreaming Time

Acrylic on Canvas

Tahlia Bennell

Wardandi Boodja

Maambakoort Coral Connection (Nan’s Country)

Acrylic on Canvas

Tessa Birch Identity

Acrylic on Canvas

This painting pays homeage to the Elders who have taught me and shaped me into the person I am today.

Violet Coyne Our Journey

Acrylic and Grass Tree Resin on Canvas

I used marri gum and grass tree resin for the gravel to add natural texture and personal memories of the bush/nature. It takes us back to our childhood when we travelled along the road and the pipeline which connected regional towns. Precious memories of family. If the car broke down we walked along the pipeline as kids would do and today we always stop and have photos while sharing our memories. ”You won’t get lost if you follow the pipeline.“

Yabini Kickett Pop and Me Soft Pastel on Paper

Pop Clarry Kickett passed away before was born in 1998, but he watched me grow up across Noongar country. Family instilled the deep reverance I have for Gurgurda (Boobook) within me since childhoodBeing his totem and an important teacher/messenger. While some find their presence concerning, we’ve always found comfort in knowing that wise old spirit is visiting, even sometimes with hard news. Pop ís always nearby, somewhere over my shoulder.

Whadjuk Person

Bring Them Back Home

Acrylic on Canvas

This painting represents the time of assimilation (Stolen Generation) to the present. In the centre are the four Karlups (Campfires), ancient symbols representing male and female Indigenous Australians. The Four Karlups stand for the mission institutions where many of my ancestors were ripped from their lands to learn the white man way of life. The Footprints leading to the old people represent their journey back to their home to their families. some never made it. The hands Represent younger people wanting to learn the old ways. The Earthy colours around the outside of the piece are the dessert land meeting. The centre piece is my representation of neurology. The flashing signals traveling along the axon to the receiving cells represent the knowledge that is being transmitted to all Indigenous people on this land. The six seasons are the most important way of life. Noongar people never had calendar and the Boodjar (Lands) was our library and our guide. The old people looked at patterns of movements of the cockies, fish and the kanagroos and the fruiting of the trees before moving camp or hunting. Everything revolved around the six seasons. This is a piece dedicated to my father (RIP) and my Indigenous mentor who has inspired me so much and helped me to find my identity as an Indigenous man from Noongar Whadjuk boodjar (Perth). My father and mentor were both stolen from their mothers when they were babies. My father did not see his mother again until he was

Wendy Jean Hayden

Elders Tree From the Roots Up to the Sky

Acrylic on Canvas

17, my mentor was 54 before he met his. It is up to us now to walk as one and look after the environment. Let’s rub shoulders together, let’s share our cultures and together understand the past to make a better future for our children.

The Elders of our Noongar people are an integral part of our cultural heritage. Our Elders play a big part in maintaining the traditions, customs and knowledge that have been passed down through generations. Their deep understanding of our culture and traditions is and was vital to maintain respected members of our communities. Their knowledge of the land, it’s flora and fauna and the spiritual and cultural significance of various sites are invaluable to the preservation of their cultural heritage. The impact of our Elders in the early days where; hard working, hunters, gate keepers, story tellers, teachers in culture, and love, and practices, and negotitations in reconcilation.

Quotes from Elders:

“We discovered our Aboriginalality by just being kids with freedom to run and love what was most important to us and that was our land.”

“This is our heritage, this is what we were taught from a young age, land and water and the sky is all the same, they are a part of me.”

“Being a proud Noongar Elder that is what we were taught from a young age, land and water and sky is all the same, they are apart of me”

“Being a proud Noongar Elder that is the way it will be until I die”

“Strong memories as a child running around in the bush where we were camping and sharing everything, no one starved.”

“We must not forget about the things that happened to us long time ago”

“We all need to remember the past and the younger ones need to know, we just want the best for our kids and do well in life and be proud of themselves.”

“We should also remember that our old people always respected, god and the unseen higher power above.”