2019, located within the bus shelter at the intersection of Docker St North and the Pacific Hwy, Marks Point.
About the artwork:
“I was sitting under some native pea bushes one day, taking a break, when I noticed lots of small black insects walking on my arms. At first, I thought they were little ticks, however I soon realised sitting on my arm, in plain sight, was the elusive native black ‘honey’ bee. At just 4mm in length this little bee might be small in size but its contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal people and the environment is immense. Truly incredible when you think how long it would take the smallest honey producing bee on the earth to make one kilo of delicious honey.
I am a firm believer in everything having a purpose and a reason for being on earth. For a country that has some of the highest rates of endemic species anywhere in the worlds it brings me great sadness to think that over the last 233 years many of these native species have been pushed to extinction.
The next time you are sitting around the BBQ and see a little black insect flying around, have a good look before reaching for the swot, chanced are it could be a little black native bee.” Gary W Luke
About the artist:
Born in Grafton NSW in 1953 I am a descendant from the Bunjalung blood line, my ancestral land is on the plateau northern NSW near Tenterfield, millera country is gold dreaming country. The millera plateau connects the gold dreamers to all dreamtime creation. I come from my grandmother’s blood line as did my father, millera are a matrilineal mob, that means everything is connected to grandmother’s law/lore. My mother is of second fleet heritage - English. I came to Newcastle to visit mum’s brother some 50 years ago and never left.
For the last 15+ years I have worked with National Park's and Wildlife Services teaching Aboriginal cultural practices, art and story focusing on Awabakal.