Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track

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. 

2021, located within the bus shelter at the intersection of Marks Point Rd and the Pacific Hwy, Marks Point.

About the artwork:

My painting The Night The Moon Cried, is my interpretation of the local songline. I have worked in collaboration with the Bahtabah Elders Group to convey this message through art, of this beautiful dreaming story of Belmont Lagoon and the Awabakal people.

My artwork shows Belmont Lagoon and the celebration of the Koori people after the events of When The Moon Cried and formed Belmont Lagoon. It depicts the Lagoon in the centre and the moon man spirit (Pontoe-Boong) resting at the top clearly showing his tears filling the lagoon. The moon boasting its beautiful full face clearly being reflected into the now full fresh water lagoon. The sun woman spirit (Punnal) resting at the bottom of the painting. The sun is also in her glory showing her beautiful face as she always has.

Surrounding the painting on the left and right sides is native flora and fauna; gum leaves, bottle brush, acacia, black she oak and reeds alongside kangaroo, emu and possum tracks, ants and frogs which depict a vibrant ecosystem. This land and water now flourish because the lagoon is full. The Koori people are dancing and singing, celebrating the now flourishing environment by the light of the moon in the full lagoon. They have a place to swim, fish, gather resources and reside by. I have depicted their walking trails, meeting places and camp fires on both sides of the lagoon crossing both the rich earth of brown, red and silver soil. I wanted to capture this scene as a celebration - the Koori people rejoicing a thriving environment and the moon and sun spirits happy. I also wanted to capture the songline in a way that can be easily explained and understood by all people in our community.

About the artist:

My name is Jodie Reynolds and I am a local artist in Swansea Heads. I have been painting, drawing and teaching art for the last 16+ years. Four years ago, I found out that I have Aboriginal Heritage and I am from the Kamilaroi tribe. I have embraced my culture and part of this journey has included joining the local Aboriginal Elders Group at Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council which has been a fulfilling experience for me. I have embraced the artistic side of my culture and enjoy painting to represent my Aboriginal heritage. I am excited to continue learning more about Aboriginal significant sites, and events and express them in my art.

Design story:

The shells in the work are based on shells seen scattered in middens. I wanted this work to be representative of healthy, clean, clear waters so the layers within this work represent the shellfish scattered beneath the surface of the water. 

The background design was an illustration based on one of Aunty Daniella Chedzey’s weavings. This was then edited and developed to create more of a colour wash. I wanted the weavings present in the making of the work to also acknowledge the strong traditional fishing history of the area and the tools and skills used.

I chose these vibrant blues to reflect the waterways of the area, in particular the vibrancy of the Swansea Channel.

Artist Story:

My name is Jasmine Miikika Craciun. I’m a proud Barkindji, Malyangapa woman who’s grown up in Newcastle. I have always had a love of art and design and graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2018 with a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design.

For the last three years, I have been a freelancing graphic designer and multi-media artist. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family of many diverse backgrounds; growing up alongside my European immigrant grandparents on my Father’s side and my Aboriginal family on my Mother’s side. I believe having this diverse background has given me the opportunity to see and design from a different perspective. I pride myself on designing for today's diverse audience and understanding what is needed to communicate with unique groups of people. I believe design should be used to enact change. My work tells a story and is made for everyone.