NAIDOC Digital Artists Release
Culture
NAIDOC Digital Artists Release
Sophia Houston
January 10th, 2023
This year, Yarn is very privileged to be collaborating with an amazing group of artists to celebrate NAIDOC and honour the theme, For Our Elders. We are so excited to introduce you to the next three artists to collaborate with us and the fantastic art that they have done this year. We got to ask them a couple of questions about their art, the processes behind it and what NAIDOC means to them.
Caitlin Trindall collaborated with us last year with a couple of beautiful designs for our reusable tote bag collection and we are very happy to have her working with us again. We also have two brand new artists working with us on this release, Tara Butterworth and Shareen Griffiths. We hope you will all love their beautiful work as much as we do and make them a part of your NAIDOC celebrations this year. We have an exciting collection for you and we can’t wait for you all to enjoy it.
Tara Butterworth
@marlimarli_
Tara Butterworth is a proud Wagiman woman who uses her artwork to tell stories of her life and her connection to culture and family. The title of Tara’s vibrant piece for our NAIDOC collection is called "Ngal-gawu" Grandmother (mothers mum). Her art is a reflection of the most important Elder in her life, her grandmother and everything that she means to her family.
“Ngal-gawu” Grandmother (Mothers Mum)
"When I was 8 years old I lost my nan. She played a massive role in shaping who I am today, along with my siblings. When she passed, my sister was just a boorai. One day while outside playing in the garden she pointed up at a passing butterfly and said “Nanny”.
Ever since then, butterflies have surround us in specific moments. Hard times and good times, I can always trust a butterfly will flutter passed me. I believe it's my Nan reminding me to be strong, stay resilient and stay grounded.
Our elders play such a huge role in our community. I wanted this piece to reflect the most important elder in my life and her guidance from the dream time for me and my siblings, while also acknowledging the elders still with us, who fight alongside our communities everyday, paving the way for the next generations.” - Tara Butterworth
Shareen Griffiths
@ggillustrationart
Shareen Griffiths is a proud Gomeroi woman whose art is part of her healing and journey as an Aboriginal woman. Shareen’s artwork is titled Unity Is Strength, and represents the unity within the Elders and how this unity makes everyone stronger as people and as a community. To Shareen, NAIDOC means the coming together of First Nations people to celebrate history, culture and achievements.
Unity is strength
"My artwork represents the unity within our elders and from them uniting we emerge stronger as people and stronger as a community." - Shareen Griffiths
Caitlin Trindall
@caitlin.mirii.art
Caitlin Trindall is a proud Gomeroi woman who has created two designs as part of our NAIDOC collaboration. The first one is called Connection Through Generations, a representation of Elders past present and future, and the meeting places that connect them all and their role in the community. Her second design is called Rallying Together. It is a piece that is inspired by her own connections with Elders, especially those in her family. She reflects on the contributions that the Elders have made and continue to make to their communities.
Connection Through Generations
"The three symbols in this artwork are representative
of our Elders of the past, present, and those of the
future. Each symbol indicates a meeting place which is
representative of the connection between our Elders
and their role within the wider community. It depicts
community coming together to share knowledge,
learn from our Elders, and to practice culture
together. The three meeting places have been
grouped together to reflect the interconnectedness of
generations, which are supported and nourished by Elders." - Caitlin Trindall
Rallying Together
"The concept behind this artwork was inspired my own connection with Elders, especially those in my family. I reflected on the countless contributions that our
Elders have achieved, and continue to achieve for our families and communities.
This artwork serves to remind us of the knowledge, traditions and cultural practices that have been proudly passed on to future generations by our Elders.
Depicted in this artwork are a collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from all generations, including a representation of my own Grandfather, Great Aunt, and Mum. The banner and the two raised fists are a representation of Blak empowerment. It serves to celebrate our Elders who have driven change among our communities over generations, and reminds us of the road we
have ahead. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have also been included to acknowledge and pay respect to the strength, courage and wisdom that is carried by each of our Elders across the nation." - Caitlin Trindall
Love Our Blogs? Read More Articles Now!
Yarn Blog is here to bring you the latest and greatest in First Nations culture, news and shopping. You can find updates on all our best products as well as info about our fantastic collaborating artists right here. Click below to start reading more of our exciting posts!