The artist, Tikana Telfer, hails from the Mullawirra Meyunna (dry forest clan) of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains.
Tikana also represents her connection to her mothers and grandmothers' line from Ooldea on the far west coast of South Australia.
Artist Statement
In this vibrant art piece, I weave a narrative that transcends time and shows my family’s connection to Country. The warm tones of orange pulsate with the energy of my family ties to the land, embodying our profound connection and spiritual resonance with our traditional weather season. As the orange shades transition into the cool blues, they evoke the presence of the wet season and the life-giving force of water in our culture. The interplay of these colours serves as a visual ode to the transition between the wet and dry seasons, symbolising the cyclical rhythm of nature that shapes our existence. Within the intricate patterns, the water elements delicately represent the strength and wisdom of Aboriginal women, who are the nurturers, language carriers, and storytellers, while the earth elements embody the resilience and endurance of men, serving as our protectors and hunter-gatherers.
The four larger stars in the artwork symbolise the four directions, while the smaller stars represent our ancestors watching over us, guiding us, and sharing their stories through the celestial tapestry of the night sky. This artwork encapsulates the rich narrative of our creation stories, where water and Country intertwine, and the roles of women and men are celebrated in harmony with the guidance of our ancestors.
In the heart of the artwork, three circles stand proudly, each bearing the weight of profound significance: "Our Language, Our Culture, Our Health." These circles symbolise the pillars of our identity, intertwining and supporting the essence of our being. Hovering above is a spirit, a representation of our ancestors looking over us and guiding our journey. This spirit embodies various facets of our culture, yet uniquely represents my own spirit and connection. Thumbprints within the spirit symbolise DNA, echoing the patterns found in the trees, signifying our interconnectedness with Country. We are all bound by the same thumbprint, connected to Country in ways both seen and unseen. As the spirit oversees the landscape, it serves as a poignant reminder of our shared origin and inevitable return to Country, completing the circle of life in the rich tapestry of our cultural heritage.
Ngadlu Kaurna yartangka inparringutha.
Ngadlu-rlu Kaurna miyurna, yaitya mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku pukinangku tarrkarri-arra tampinthi.
Ngadlu-rlu Kaurna miyurna parnaku yarta, yailtya, tapa purruna tampinthi.
Ngadlu-rlu Kaurna Pukiana miyurna puki-puki-nangku, Kaurna Purkarna yalaka tampinthi.
Ngadlu-rlu yaitya miyurna iyangka yalaka kumarta pangkarra Wirltuthidnanangku, kumarta pangkarra warrunangku tampinthi.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Kaurna people, the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we will gather on.
We acknowledge and respect the Kaurna people’s cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional connection with their land, waters and community. We pay respect to elders both past and present. We extend that respect to other First Nations People and their Indigenous lands across the globe.
CONTACT THE ORGANISERS
All Occasions Group
12 Stirling Street, Thebarton, SA, Australia, 5031
(61) 8 8125 2200
conference@aomevents.com
Media enquiries: communications@aida.org.au