Sammy helps students brush up on Indigenous culture

Indigenous artist Sammy Trist speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about her collaborative project with Peninsula Specialist College students, culminating in an exhibition next month.

What is the inspiration behind your art project with Peninsula Specialist College?

The exhibition is called Wawa Biik, Gilbruk Biik. The name means Hello Country, Respect Country. After my initial invitation by the school’s principal, Trevor Hodsdon, to design artwork for the entrance of the school, I was inspired by the students’ response and the wonderful support from their art teacher, Jess Taylor, to continue sharing my knowledge with the students, which then evolved into the opportunity of an art exhibition.

Can you share some insights into the creative process and the artworks the students are producing for the exhibition?

I started by teaching the students about Kulin line art. The students then drew with pencils and some chose to burn their design onto a wooden gum leaf made by Uncle Mick Harding, which will become a new art installation in the entrance of the school. Bundjil’s lore is you must take care of the land and the children; we offer you a gum leaf when you come to visit, and we ask that while you are on Country that you only take what you need and you must share. The gum leaf is like a passport onto Country. The students are making five shields – Sky, Land, Fire, Water, Mountain/Wonga (Arthurs Seat) – using natural and recycled materials.

How have you incorporated Indigenous cultural themes and practices into the project?

The students have been learning about taking care of Country, talking about making sure our rubbish goes in the bin so it doesn’t end up in the waterways, turning off the light when we leave the room, and recycling. The students have crushed ochre, made stamps of Kulin symbols, cut water reeds, made clay beads, and learnt how to make rope. With the collaboration of the art teacher, the students are learning different techniques to create and connect to animals and nature: printing, etching, painting and sculpture using paper mâché.

What message do you hope the students and viewers will take away from it?

I hope they go away thinking about what we can do each day to look after Country, and to take time to stop in our busy lives and listen to Country. Close our eyes, feel the sun on our face, listen to the birds, the wind, the waves, and just breathe. To love and to take care of ourselves so that we can love and take care of others.

What significance does displaying the students' art at McClelland Gallery in Langwarrin hold for you and the community?

When I spoke to First Nations educator at McClelland, Nicki Browne, her generosity and enthusiasm in hosting the school was amazing and inspiring. For me it means giving the students a public forum to display all they have absorbed about the Kulin nation and then interpreted into their art. This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for the community to embrace and respect that students with additional needs have unique artistic abilities.

Wawa Biik, Gilbruk Biik will be on display at McClelland Sculpture Park+Gallery on the weekend of September 7-8.