I wanted to raise awareness about something I hear so much about, Stolen Aboriginal Art and how we protect our culture, our stories, our businesses, our designs?
And this is my story to create more awareness, we need to stand with respect, and stand beside each other, not take from one another, this is not the way
This powerful story is about Aboriginal Art being stolen, about mob not being told the truth when designs are not original or made on country, and to bring this very important yarn to the surface that if designs being replicated, copied or our business models are being copied, then you have lost your way, and we are the Original People, no matter who's land we stand on but we must first respect that to respect this!
You will see the painting is almost identical, and the white Ochre on the tops represents the many artists out there being disrespectful by stealing other artists ideas, business models, art and claiming it as their own without any shame, devaluing the importance of our art, our knowledge and our culture, and also how that disrespects us as people, as artists and business owners but as Aboriginal People, taking from us our Intellectual Property and walking as if it were your own
They are covered in white ochre to help them heal and become strong again, to guide them to go back to old ways, to help them see right
The Artists on the bottom as are all painted in red ochre, to protect them as they honor their country by being authentic, and creating such rich powerful and beautiful designs, that celebrate all of our Black Excellence, telling stories that are owned by them
The young artist tried hard every day and every night to build hew business, she loved nothing more than to paint, she knew that if she were to be successful that this would mean she could have enough for everyone, and share what she had worked for with her Bamanaya
But the days got longer and the nights they did not end, she sat and she painted, then she would paint some more, worrying about how she would be able to give to others this Xmas when her art and her ideas were being copied. She wondered how it was that every design she created was being stolen in front of her publicly, without shame nor respect.
And it was then, the young artist decided to tell her story, but not with her mouth to bring shame, and so she painted, once again picking up her paints to be her voice
and with each tear she grew stronger until her hands stopped shaking, as she had worked so hard, just to hold enough to help others.
She did not wish to take more than what her family needed, so she tried another way, and she painted that story, and just as she painted the tears fell to the canvas, but this time they were again tears of hope and that is, that our mob already know when another artist is taking from someone what does not belong to them, and they would not support any artist to do this, but instead take their hands and help them to heal, just as our Elders always do
1 comment
This old white woman is soooo impressed with your designs. I love the fabric designs so much and the clothing and bedding is gorgeous. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for my wallet, many of the dresses are just not right for me, but there is one dress I just have to find the right excuse to buy! And I will definitely be buying a doona cover set. “Resilience” really appeals to me and reminds me that we can’t give up. I think my heart broke a little when The Voice was rejected, and I can only try to imagine how Indigenous Australians must feel after such a punch to the guts. Maybe the only way to go forward now is by individual connections and promotions, steadily breaking down barriers.
I try to support indigenous businesses but do get concerned that it is sometimes difficult to to tell what is real and what is fake and exploitative.
I want to congratulate you on your initiative and wish you every success in the future.
Margaret Byrne