ART

Art: William Cooper, inspirational

I would like to acknowledge the traditional

Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation and pay our respect to their Elders, past, present, and emerging.

As an artist, my inspiration is Mr.William Cooper,

I created this artwork that celebrates William Cooper's legacy and the impact he had on the Indigenous community by creating a piece being bold, standout, and loud.

William Cooper was an inspirational Aboriginal leader who fought for the rights of Indigenous Australians during the early 20th century. He was a prominent figure in the Aboriginal rights movement and played a significant role in advocating for social justice and equality for Indigenous people.

In 1933 at 72 years of age, Cooper moved to Melbourne and made his home in Footscray which became the center for other Cummeragunja exiles such as Margaret Tucker, Shadrach James and his grand-nephew, Doug Nicholls.

The group formed the Australian Aborigines League, which was constituted in 1936. The Australian Aborigines League was created to lobby state and federal governments on behalf of the Aboriginal people.

Making Paint from Iron oxide rock found on the Banks of the Maribyrnong River was introduced into the above art.

The colours made were incorporated into the pictures containing the Light Browns, Browns and white wash Yellows

Art: 21st Century Queen

In the following piece, "21st Century Queen",

This piece is my interpretation of a strong woman who lives in today's society, Universally powerful, resilient contributors across many facets of life, breaking down gender roles and inspiring future generations—and it is essential to honor their individual qualities and contributions.

I used a combination of different mediums.

Digital art was used to create the subject and use digital tools, such as computer software. This medium allows for a high degree of precision and control, and I can easily experiment with different colors, textures, and effects.

Charcoal is another medium introduced, made from compressed carbon. I use it to create a dark, dramatic, effect.

Indian Ink is another drawing medium that was used for this piece. I find the Ink can be used to create fine, delicate lines or bold, expressive strokes.

Gold leaf is a decorative material made from extremely thin sheets of gold that I applied to a surface giving a halo-type of effect. It has been used in art for thousands of years and is known for its shimmering, reflective qualities.

All of these mediums I used to create this one piece of art that communicate a range of ideas and emotions. Each medium has its own unique characteristic.

A hand or hand over the heart typically represents a gesture of respect or honor.

Gold leaf represents wealth, power, and spirituality. The use of gold leaf in religious art, for example, is often intended to symbolize the divine or transcendent nature of the subject matter.

Charcoal for its ability to create a sense of depth and texture.

Indian Ink or black ink to create a strong contrast and bold lines.