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My name is Rhiannon Chapman. I’m 22 years old and I’m from the Djiringanj Yuin nation on the Far South Coast of NSW.
I aim to be a role model in my community and have the next generation to look up to me. I wish to make my people proud and make change to break the cycle. When I paint it gives me the sense of belonging and connection to culture, spirituality, mentally, emotionally and physically.
My artwork includes our sacred sites, our cultural heritage, our waters, our animals, our bush medicines, our traditional practices:
- in the centre is our people gathering
- the six circles symbolising our sacred sites of the land and the protection of them
- animal track – kangaroo and goanna, meaning protection
- our salt waters and fresh waters flowing
- our people’s hands in the corner to remind us of our strength and compassion that’s in our blood as well as the guidance of ancestors
- the pink and purple circles through the painting to resemble the berries and bush medicines
- and the gum leaves intertwining and connecting us as one, as well resembling the mother feeding us oxygen.