This artwork, Connected by Land, Sea and Family, explores the theme of belonging through personal, cultural, and environmental connections.
The koala and joey in the tree represent myself and my youngest daughter, while the whale and calf represent my husband and eldest daughter. Their presence reflects the importance of family, nurture, and being held close.
The imagery of the whales and ocean signifies our belonging to Hervey Bay, a place surrounded by sea and alive with marine life. The tree, land, and sun connect us to Australia and its natural landscapes, grounding us in place and community.
The design also acknowledges belonging to Aboriginal culture through the use of dot patterns, which honour the traditions of storytelling and connection to Country.
Created collaboratively with my daughters, the work combines painted forms with hand-drawn outlines in sharpie and dot marker designs.
Each layer reflects both individual creativity and shared family expression, bringing together elements of land, sea, and kinship in a unified whole. This piece brings together elements of land, sea and family and celebrates how we belong-to the land beneath us, to the waters that surround us and to each other.

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