Kabi Kabi man Lyndon Davis is putting some final touches on Bidjali – a large, colourful and complex piece of art featuring intertwining concepts that draw on Kabi Kabi knowledges and the shared stories across UniSC's Queensland campuses.
One point that strikes me personally is the use of lines criss-crossing the canvas, creating an array of geometric shapes in the background of the painting.
It’s not what I’m used to seeing when I think of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork, which I commonly associate with dot work. But maybe, or more-than-likely, I’m just ignorant.
When I ask Lyndon about it, he explains the dot art originated in central or desert areas of Australia.
“I remember seeing some of my Elders making art years ago – and it wasn’t dots or cross-hatching,” Lyndon says. “It was bold geometric patterns and designs.”
He’s not only extremely knowledgeable – he’s expressive, personable and passionate when he talks, explaining how his culturally significant designs reflect the iconic bunya trees, which connect so many regions and Aboriginal groups around Queensland’s south through the Bunya Festival.
“[Those designs] depict exactly what this landscape is – just like the desert-art dots depicts theirs.
“So that's what I've tried to incorporate here – to bring back those traditional styles.”
Lyndon’s task was to create an artwork that in part paid respect to Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi peoples – two separate and distinct groups on whose land UniSC campuses operate. It was a project about connection, community and culture.
Incredibly, given the complexity of the task, Lyndon appeared to already have a concept in his head early on. But before he started, he needed to consult with Elders.
“It was important to get a perspective from others in the community,” Lyndon says. “Luckily, they were thinking exactly the same as me.”
The idea, Lyndon says, was right in front of him.
“You’ve got the water, the bunya, the whales, the dolphins,” he offers, as examples – all plants and animals, he points out, that are native to the regions where UniSC's Queensland campuses operate.
“That was the common theme behind the artwork.”
The resulting image is a detailed tapestry of iconic animals and a swirling rainbow of colours representing UniSC’s own brand.
Mullet runs full of intricate detail swirl among kangaroos, turtles and eagles. Dolphins frolic. Whales move elegantly northward through the centre of the piece. Kangaroos bound along the fringes.
It is an image that reveals more detail with every inspection.
How the artwork came about
The artwork is part of a larger body of work to create an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual identity for UniSC.
The idea behind the project, according to the brief, is to visually represent and pay respect to “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, knowledges, histories, and ongoing connections with the University’s…communities.”
First Nations’ owned and operated art and culture agency, the Dialogue Office, were enlisted to manage the project, which includes digitising key symbols and iconography from Lyndon’s artwork to use in different ways across UniSC’s website, murals, signage, stationary and clothing.
When agency director and Meriam and Yupungathi man Christopher Bassi saw the project, he immediately knew Lyndon was the right artist for the role.
“It’s been a dream ever since,” he says.
Lyndon has a long and storied history with UniSC himself. As one of the most well-known and respected Kabi Kabi artists, educators and cultural performers, UniSC regularly partners with Lyndon on events, artworks and exhibitions.
UniSC Pro Vice-Chancellor (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy) Professor Joe Fraser said he was thrilled Lyndon had been chosen to create the artwork.
“I think it's a great outcome,” he says. “Apart from his artistic accomplishments, his participation in education, schools and the University is really well known within the region.
“Throw in the fact that he's cracker human being – he's just a good person to be around – and you have a really wonderful mix of disposition and talent to carry the project.
How the visual identity fits into UniSC’s story
The visual identity project itself is part of a larger body of work to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into everything UniSC does – from teaching and learning to research opportunities.
On K’gari, for example, UniSC partners with the Butchulla people on deepening our research and understanding when it comes to environmental management, protection and conversation.
On top of that, UniSC is very privileged to partner with these Traditional Owners on teaching and learning about this unique and revered location.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, praised Bidjali, reaffirming the University’s commitment to strengthening connections with Traditional Owners and creating an equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders in higher education.
“Lyndon has created a remarkable piece of art, capturing the history, connection and country of the Traditional Owners upon whose land UniSC operates,” Professor Bartlett said.
“Bidjali is a visual representation of our commitment to honour that history, and advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander higher education as outlined in our Strategic Plan and Reconciliation Charter.
“We are immensely proud that the proportion of Indigenous students at UniSC is 4.2 percent – which is more than double the Australian university average – and of our partnerships with Traditional Owners.”
The visual identity will complement another art-piece created to better express UniSC’s identity, values and connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
That art piece was expressed through song.
Narungga/Adnyamamathanha and Saibai man Uncle Kevin Starkey was commissioned to develop a piece of original music to replace a classical Danish piece played during the academic procession at the University’s graduation ceremonies.
The result was a moving, thought provoking and thoroughly engaging piece of music that was developed through consultation and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.
Part of what has made all the above so special and important is none of it has happened in isolation – everything has taken a collaborative effort, only enriching relationships and ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's perspectives, culture and knowledge is acknowledged, valued and respected at UniSC.
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