This year’s NAIDOC week theme, heal country! is as much about arts as it is about physical environment. We need more Indigenous Art in Public places to acts as a reminder of Country and work towards preserving culture.
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Country is more than a place; it is the core of our identity that guides us physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. Country is embedded in art.
Worimi Elder Uncle Steve Brereton said “Healing Country is healing us. We are Country and Country is us. We are all one.”
We have been lucky enough to work on some projects inspired and focused on country, place, and recognizing cultural significance.
Among these include Jasmine Sarin’s painted mural spanning the central corridor of Chubb Insurance Office in the CBD. The mural represents the many clans that make up the Eora nation, the land on which this building is located, as well as the significance of George Street as an Indigenous walking track.
Jasmine Sarin is a self-taught visual artist and graphic designer. A Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman from NSW, her artworks tell the story of her experiences growing up and her connection to the oldest culture on earth.
We also worked with Nicole Chaffey on her diptych works entitled “Flow North”, located in Dexus Sydney’s office lobby. The two works reference both the building’s location, as well as it’s Indigenous and natural ties.
Nicole is a descendant of the Gadigal people of Sydney and the Biripi nation of the mid-north coast of NSW. Her artwork explores aspects of mapping, family ties, and nature.
Nicole says she wants her art to be an everyday reminder of Country and how we need to ‘step carefully’.
We are fortunate to be working together with these artists to help preserve Country, but there is so much more to be done.
With destruction and exploitation causing suffering to our lands, waters, sacred sites, language, and cultural heritages, heal country! Is a call to enact greater protective measures to keep Country alive and recognize the role we all play in understanding, protecting, and maintaining all aspects of culture.
Here are some ways you can engage with this year’s theme with the arts sector!
Shop at the National Indigenous Art Fair online here.
Explore the theme of Heal Country through watercolour and fine liner with Shelley Ware’s free online workshop here.
Watch Mud Australia’s ‘Mud Talks’ about the Importance of Indigenous Art in Contemporary Australia here
Artists can join Deakins art competition here
Looking beyond NAIDOC Week 2021 and into the future, we believe Public Art and Placemaking takes an important place in working towards Healing Country.
We need more Indigenous Art in Public places to acts as a reminder of Country and work towards preserving culture.
Art Pharmacy is a full service art strategy and culture agency. Our Art Consultants are here to plan, manage and deliver creative projects that culturally enrich spaces and tell interesting stories using high-quality Australian art.
