Knowledge

Artist: Michael McGuane (Kamilaroi, Yuwaalaraay)

Region: South West

About the artwork

I am a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Yuwaalaraay tribes. I was born in Dalby and have lived between Dalby, Roma and the Sunshine Coast. I have been painting for approximately 20 years. I see my art as a positive way to promote and sustain Aboriginal culture. I also make and play Didgeridoos as shown to me by a Mandandanji elder. I enjoy painting as it is a way to pass on culture to not only my kids, by the whole community.

This acrylic painting depicts the people facing towards the centre of the painting gaining knowledge through training the people facing outwards represents them after being trained ready to go out into the community to help our people. The inner circle of dots represents to knowledge that they have gained, the plant represents medicine both traditional and modern. The hands represent healing within different communities.