The meaning of this artwork comes from Paul Kelly’s, ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’. You might notice that there is a little tree. The little tree is noticing what it can be, that when it grows up, it can help. The bigger tree is a river flowing, growing and letting off help. Maybe it can’t rebirth the burning tree, but it can bloom a new generation. The First Nations people are taking water that was offered by the river so they can bloom AS ONE. I have chosen to use flowers to represent First Nations people as they bloom. I have used the trees to represent both the growth and the disrespect. I have also included the Uluru Statement from the Heart to show this is what is needed to BLOOM, but it is falling apart and not happening. I have chosen the colours of the flowers as red for courage, green for health, black for sadness and the river for peace. This links to the theme ‘From River to Sea’ because the tree lets down water to the river and that river goes separate ways. To re-birth, to help grow.
Reconciliation means coming together as one, acknowledging the past but planning for a respectful and united future.
Artist: Indigo Lee