The main feature in this artwork represents the Welfare Rights Centre (WRC)
itself. It is made up of concentric rings to highlight the many people that
bring their own stories and knowledge to WRC. This is also reflected by the
smaller circles that represent community and other organisations. The
shapes that outline each circle are the people. People that make up the
community and the WRC. The lines that join the circles are connection lines.
This is to symbolise the sharing of knowledge and stories and flows in both
directions. The faint pattern in the background is to reflect the history and
connection to place and community, a tribute to the ongoing connection we
have with the land and the stories that it holds. The coloured segments
around the border are to symbolise the hurdles and barriers we experience
in life. We all need help at some point and everyone's journey in this world is
slightly different.
The colours used throughout the artwork represent the coast and country of
NSW, with earthy warm tones meeting cool blues of the sea and sky.
Everything is connected in community. A land that always was and always
will be, Aboriginal land.
I am a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman with a passion for Aboriginal
culture and art. Her artwork tells the story of her experiences growing up
and aims to bring contemporary methods and materials to one of the oldest
cultures on earth. "I pay my respects to my elders both past and present and
acknowledge that the land on which I work and play on was, is and always
will be Aboriginal land".
Find out more about Jasmine's work here.
Jude Jarrett's Black Fish (Warraaagan) Season is featured in our Reconciliation Action Plan.
This painting is a tribute to my Brother in Law who always took my sister,
their sons, my sons and myself and other immediate family members fishing
and swimming along the river and the beach. This was a regular outing
during the summer months. He taught the young boys how to catch fish,
clean and prepare it and then cook it on an open fire on the river bank,
where it would then be shared amongst the families. He was a great
fisherman with local knowledge of the best fishing spots: knowledge which
he passed down to the boys. The river and beaches are still a great provider
of freshwater and salt water fish for my family and a resource we need to
look after.
Jude Jarrett is a proud Koori woman from the Gumbaynggirr Nation. She
says, "My paintings don't always tell the traditional stories that usually come
with indigenous art, but they tell my story, one of reconnecting with my
family, finding my place and where I belong. my works reflect the
"conciliation" between traditional methods with modern colours and
mediums. They are what lies deep in my heart and soul. In short my
paintings are my story, my journey, nothing more, nothing less. Yaarri
Yarraang /goodbye."
Find out more about Jude's work here.
The Artwork
When I initially started thinking of concepts for Welfare Rights at
the beginning of 2020, COVID hit and isolation and social distancing became
the new normal.
"Shields" visualises self-protection and safety through connection. This image
encapsulates the concept of protection of and for the individual. Protection
from inequality and creating shields of cohesion to protect vulnerable
members of our society.
The Artist
Dr Bronwyn Bancroft is a proud Bundjalung Woman and Artist.
Bronwyn has been exhibiting both nationally and internationally for over three
decades. She has a diverse artistic practice including public art commissions
and imagery design for private commission and has illustrated and/or written
40 books. Bronwyn has been a Director of her own company, Designer
Aboriginals Pty Ltd since 1985, and she is a Director of Australian Indigenous
Mentoring Experience (AIME) and a member of the Commonwealth Bank
Indigenous Advisory Council. Bronwyn has been a volunteer senior strategist
at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative since 2009. Bronwyn was
awarded her Doctor of Philosophy in 2018. She was the recipient of the
University of Sydney's Alison Bush Graduate Medal for her contribution to the
Indigenous Community and she is currently completing the inaugural NSW
Aboriginal Creative Fellowship at the State Library of NSW.
Find out more about Bronwyn's work here.