Vibrant Forest by Melissa Riley
The 2022 FPC Aboriginal Art Competition invited aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to submit an art piece in response to the brief, “What does forestry mean to you?” Source: Timberbiz
The competition was launched during NAIDOC week to provide a forum to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Seven entries were received from artists across WA and from different language and cultural groups, including:
Ngadju people –
Ngadju country extends in the South-East of WA covering an area more than 120,000 square miles (larger than the United Kingdom) it surrounds the town of Norseman and expands the pristine Great Western Woodlands between Kalgoorlie and Esperance which is the largest intact temperate woodland left on Earth, home to30 per cent of Australia’s eucalyptus. It is also one of two sites in WA that has been dedicated to the National Reserve System under the Federal Government’s new IPA program.
Noongar people –
Noongar country (Noongar boodja) covers the entire south-western portion of WA, from Geraldton on the west coast to Esperance on the south coast. There are 14 different Noongar groups: Amangu, Ballardong,Yued, Kaneang, Koreng, Mineng, Njakinjaki, Njunga, Pibelmen, Pindjarup, Wadandi, Whadjuk, Wiilman and Wudjariwhich make up the Noongar Nation and are part of the South West Native Title Settlement.
Wangkatja (Wongi) people –
The Wangkatja language groups cover the following towns: Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, Menzies, Leonora and Laverton; these towns encompass the North-eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. The Wongi group consists of eight peoples: Maduwongga, Waljen, Ngurlutjarra, Ngaanyatjarra (NG Lands),Bindinni, Madatjarra, Koara (Kuwarra) and Tjalkatjarra.
Gooniyandi people –
Gooniyandi country is located in the central Kimberley region of WA and includes the Fitzroy River. The country covers 11173 square kms of land and water and includes the Indigenous-owned pastoral stationsof Bohemia Downs, Mt Pierre and Louisa Downs and portions of the non-Indigenous Christmas Creek, Gogo, Fossil Downs, Larrawa and Margaret River pastoral stations.
Based on the calibre of submissions, the FPC decided to purchase all the entries for an FPC art collection. A FPC Staff Choice Winner has been selected based on the staff competition judging that took place. All seven artists have entered into a purchase and copyright contract with the FPC, so all artworks are now available for our ongoing enjoyment and cultural learning.
‘FPC People’s Choice Award’
Diahane Riley is a Noongar Aboriginal Woman, her artwork is titled ‘Learning Together’
Other winners were:
- Jennifer Riley – Heart of the forest
- Simone Hills – Look Out Little Lizard Family – Aliwa Djidong Moort
- Leticia Shaw – “Environment” “Bushland” “Country”
- Melissa Riley – Vibrant Forest
- Tyleene Blowes-Kolatowics – The Giant Snake
- Rodney Carey – Bush Tucker
