Gaagu-Ma-Rra-Awa-y-Gunha-Niiringal (Sharing Tomorrow)

This artwork expresses the themes of hope and continuation for Indigenous Peoples. Especially within the fields of academia and representation, Indigenous Peoples have been largely excluded from the colonial power systems that are so deeply entrenched in our society, such as the prioritisation of white-centric academia and Western education systems. This artwork expresses the efforts of the Macquarie University Arts Faculty to include and prioritise Indigenous voices and cultures, especially in socio-economic, political, environmental and cultural discourses.

The circles in the centre represent the university institution, the shapes in the centre representing the various structures and areas of study within the university. The background uses earthy, ochre colours to represent Mother Earth and the Country that the university, and post-colonial Australia is built upon. I wanted Mother Earth to be depicted using the natural colours of the ochre that was and still is a vital component of Aboriginal culture and Dreaming. The patches of ochre represent the varied terrain and vibrant colours of our Country. The white dots surrounding the centre circles represent communication and knowledge paths, these dots extending out to the farthest regions of our Country to prioritise the voices of the Indigenous communities that have been so excluded from the white-centric systems of academia. The black circles around the painting represent the various communities that exist within and around the university, the green dots surrounding them represent the vastly different and highly nuanced experiences, knowledges and stories that they possess, and how important it is to promote and understand all Indigenous perspectives. These green dots of knowledge act as a barrier to white institutions, representing how Western systems cannot fully reach our communities or colonise us until they fully understand our own experiences and knowledges.