We Talk to Contemporary Artist Mandy Draper about her NAIDOC collaboration with Yarn
Mandy Draper’s NAIDOC2022 ‘Rise Together’ artwork. Courtesy of Yarn, 2022.
As many of you may know, Mandy Draper’s small business Deadly Dot Pots came onboard as a Yarn partner brand earlier last year. Every collection of Mandy’s gorgeous hand painted ceramic plant pots and wooden serving boards have sold out within mere hours! Thus, it came as no surprise that the demand for Mandy's NAIDOC 2021 Heal Our Nura collection in collaboration with Yarn reached as far as the USA! Now, Mandy has joined Yarn for a second year for our NAIDOC 2022 collection and we couldn’t be more thrilled!
We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Mandy Draper about the meaning and process behind her NAIDOC 2022 painting, Rise Together.
1.What is the meaning behind Rise Together?
“This painting represents our First Nations People, in our communities throughout our Country standing together and rising for change. A change that we continue to stand for, a change for our elders, our communities, our country, and our culture, for better outcomes for our mob.
We must Rise Together!”
2.What does this year's NAIDOC theme Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up mean to you?
“This year’s NAIDOC theme means to me is for a change to take place. For all us mob to stand together, to fight for change.”
3.How would you like to see people taking action in relation to this year’s NAIDOC theme?
“Standing up against racism, staying strong together to protect our culture, our environment, and our sacred land.”
4.Describe the elements in your painting and what they represent.
“The hands in the painting represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander [people] holding their hands up rising. The circle in the middle with the symbols are our people gathering and standing together. The clustered and coloured dots surrounding the circle of people represent our land of Australia.”
5.Describe the creative process of painting ‘Rise Together.’
“I wanted my design to show and represent our mob rising. I incorporated the hands to represent rising, then included the rising hands holding up a community of our people. I then wanted to have our land and our community within the painting, so I added this into the background of the painting.
My layout is always sketched out prior to painting onto the canvas to ensure my design is where I want it to be seen."
Mandy Draper’s NAIDOC2022 ‘Rise Together’ artwork process. Courtesy of Yarn, 2022.
6.Is there a specific colour palette you like to work within, and is it reflective of your culture and country?
7.How do you feel about seeing yet another one of your incredible NAIDOC artworks on Yarn’s clothing and homewares?
“I am very excited to be one of Yarn’s NAIDOC [partner] artists for the second year. With last year being such a success, I was happy to proceed another year.”
Cassie Appo Hauparua and Boysie Power wearing Mandy Draper’s NAIDOC 2021 ‘Heal Our Nura’ collection. Courtesy of Yarn, 2022.
8.What's your favourite artwork you’ve created so far?
“My favourite artwork that I have created so far would have to be this year's 2022 NAIDOC ‘Rise Together’
…it has so much meaning behind it to me. When painting this artwork, I felt passionate about the message I was trying to translate.”
9.How do you get through creative blocks?
“To get through my creative blocks, I try not to push myself, and I allow myself the time to let the ideas come to me; let the thoughts, emotions and feelings assist with my creative work.”
10.What kind of space do you like to work in when you paint?
“The space I like to work with when I paint is a large area to spread all my equipment out. I like to have the view of my back veranda overlooking the trees and the sky, and my jarjums (kids) making noise around me.”
Proud Darug woman Mandy Draper in an interview with Yarn for her NAIDOC2021 ‘Heal Our Nura’ collaboration. Courtesy of Yarn, 2022.
11.What change would you like to see within the Indigenous art industry?
“The change I would like to see within the Indigenous art industry is a higher amount of acknowledgement…and recognition for our talented artists within the industry.”
12.What advice do you have to give young aspiring Indigenous artists?
“The advice I would give to some of our young artists would be to believe in your creativity and to not let anyone tell you that you are not good enough.”
We hope you have enjoyed this insight from Mandy. If you want to learn more about Mandy and her incredible works, check out our interview with her from earlier last year here.
Shop Mandy’s NAIDOC collection with Yarn here.
You can find Mandy’s Yarn artist’s profile here and her Deadly Dot Pots’ Instagram account here.