Palawa Women

From:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DS_qK30khLK/

A year ago I was commissioned by the City of Hobart to create a mural in Nipaluna / Lutruwita (Hobart, Tasmania) and was told I could create anything I wanted. As a proud Wiradjuri woman who relocated here 5 years ago, I knew straight away I wanted to use the opportunity to uplift the Aboriginal matriarchs in community.

Little did I know at the time that no one had created a public mural of Aboriginal women in this state before. Let alone on a 26 metre wall in the heart of the city. I’d only ever created a small 4 metre mural at a school, nothing this big! That made this feel even more important, but I did have a bit of imposter syndrome.

This mural is a celebration of Aboriginal women, Palawa women. Growing up on the mainland, whenever Tasmania was spoken about there was this misconception that Palawa people were “gone”. That is a colonial lie. Palawa people are here, they are strong and thriving. Thank you to to the women depicted for trusting me to paint you:
Elder Aunty Cheryl Mundy
Elder Aunty Theresa Sainty and her granddaughter Piper
Niara Mansell
Sinsa Mansell

Painting this in my 3rd trimester has been so challenging but hey, it’ll make a great story one day 🤣I hope my daughters grow up seeing this and dream big. And I hope Palawa women who stand in front of it feel seen and celebrated. 🖤💛❤️

This work would not exist without Phoebe Diggle (@phoebediggle_art ). She has been huge in bringing this mural to life! From helping with planning the painting concepts, teaching me how to work with acrylic/exterior paints, and helping shape the faces you see on the wall. Please go give her a follow she is soooo talented!! I learned so much from her on this project, and I’m endlessly grateful. ❤️

📍mural is located in Nipaluna, State Library carpark (on Murray st)