{"title":"Jemma Stewart","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMy artwork represents the beauty of culture and nature, and the ugliness of politics and war. I try to evoke emotion with my work, whether it is happiness, sadness, anger, or fear. I use these emotions to either motivate people to make a change, or to tell a story. I often create artwork surrounding topics of Aboriginal people and culture, as well as climate change and preserving nature through paintings. I use many materials to do this and create symbolism through colours, objects, and pictures which further helps me tell a story.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"action","title":"Action","description":"\u003cp\u003eAction \u003cbr\u003e\n2024 \u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\n30.5 x 30.5cm \u003cbr\u003e\nThis picture is a visualisation of the action that took place in order to protect sacred Aboriginal land and traditions from colonisation. The circle in the centre of the canvas represents the elders and ancestors who acted against the invasion of sacred Aboriginal places to protect the 60,000-year-old sites and traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826161250494,"sku":null,"price":490.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/DSC_4983.jpg?v=1738040026"},{"product_id":"ash","title":"Ash","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsh \u003cbr\u003e\n2024 \u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\n61 x 61cm \u003cbr\u003e\nThis painting depicts a burning fire, followed by a vastness of ash, that eventually forms into a green field. The painting represents the growth that follows soon after fire. It expresses to never give up after something significant and difficult happens in life, because good will always come.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826161316030,"sku":null,"price":750.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Ash.jpg?v=1738041687"},{"product_id":"culture","title":"CULTURE","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n50 x 76cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis painting titled Culture depicts a yarning circle, and a feather veiled in a thick layer of smoke. The painting tells the story of 2024 NAIDOC week smoking ceremony that took place at my school, and on Yagura land. The smoking ceremony was done by Alec Doomadgee, and before it began, he asked me for permission to do the ceremony as I am a yagura woman. This was the beginning of my involvement in the ceremony. Before the ceremony, I marked each person in the yarning circle with red ochre and handed out eagle feathers, which I earlier learnt was Alec Doomadgee’s totem, and I am now using it as a symbol used in this painting to represent my experience.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826161807550,"sku":null,"price":1450.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Img044.jpg?v=1738294943"},{"product_id":"conformity","title":"Conformity","description":"\u003cp\u003eConformity\u003cbr\u003e\n2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n20 x 20cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis artwork depicts the expectations of teenagers in society to all\u003cbr\u003e\nbe uniform. The shapes and imagery in this artwork work together\u003cbr\u003e\nto create a sense of conformity and pressure to fit a certain mould.\u003cbr\u003e\nThe stairs leading to an open archway represent the path we are\u003cbr\u003e\nexpected to follow, and the brick wall represents the barrier this\u003cbr\u003e\ncreates between us and who we truly are. The raincloud represents\u003cbr\u003e\nsorrow and the effects of societies expectations to dress, act, and be\u003cbr\u003e\na certain way.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826162004158,"sku":null,"price":650.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/DSC_3927.jpg?v=1738294013"},{"product_id":"connection","title":"Connection","description":"\u003cp\u003eConnection\u003cbr\u003e\n2024 \u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\n60.9 x 91.4cm \u003cbr\u003e\nThis piece of art illustrates the relationship between ancestors and their descendants. The artwork’s central lines reflect a flowing river of connection that enable us to speak with or interact with our ancestors. The circles that are dispersed across the artwork symbolise the ancestors themselves and their constant presence.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826162036926,"sku":null,"price":795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/DSC_4976.jpg?v=1738294037"},{"product_id":"constant","title":"Constant","description":"\u003cp\u003eConstant \u003cbr\u003e\n2024 \u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\n122 x 91cm \u003cbr\u003e\nThis picture depicts the constant flow of Aboriginal culture. The painting showcases a landscape and community that is rich in culture, with strong rivers and land. The painting’s scattered patches of land signify expansion in both community and environment, while the rivers symbolise the resilience and unceasing flow of Aboriginal culture. This painting demonstrates the importance and strength of our communities, cultures, land and rivers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826162102462,"sku":null,"price":995.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/constant.jpg?v=1738294764"},{"product_id":"dendrobium-bigibbum","title":"Dendrobium Bigibbum","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n91 x 91cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThe overall message of “Dendrobium Bigibbum” is both to communicate sorrow, and freedom. It was developed because the known name of my primary source is called the Cooktown orchid. I wanted to use the name as an opportunity to represent colonisation through symbolism and codes. Though the flower represents colonisation in this piece, I also wanted to use the flower to represent the beginning of a new era, where aboriginal people are moving out of the darkness of colonisation and feeling the freedom that they longed for. I used water drops as symbolism of the end of a rainstorm, the remnants of which is left drying on the flower. I also wanted to make it appear that the flower is glowing to symbolise light and freedom. Finally, I used yarning circles in the background of the piece to represent aboriginal communities and the importance of the Dendrobium Bigibbum the scientific name of the cooktown orchid to them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826162692286,"sku":null,"price":1300.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Img052.jpg?v=1738294996"},{"product_id":"family","title":"Family","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n51 x 51cm\u003cbr\u003e\nA lot of my indigenous family are scattered all around Australia, and lots of them I have never met before. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to meet a lot of my aboriginal family, and this painting represents our connections and our ancestors. The tree represents all the branches of my large family, and the symbols scattered around the canvas represent ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826163577022,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Img047_4e6fade3-986a-4a4a-9b4b-006374dca3db.jpg?v=1738295973"},{"product_id":"grief","title":"Grief","description":"\u003cp\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n30.5 x 30.5cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis painting represents the grief that Aboriginal\u003cbr\u003e\npeople experienced and still experience because of\u003cbr\u003e\nthe invasion of Australia. The attempt to strip the\u003cbr\u003e\nland and culture from Aboriginal people, resulted in\u003cbr\u003e\nmass murder and bloodshed. This painting tells a\u003cbr\u003e\nstory of the grief that mothers, fathers, children, and\u003cbr\u003e\ncommunity go through as they mourn sacred places,\u003cbr\u003e\nand people they love. I used images such as a crying\u003cbr\u003e\neye, and an ocean of water to represent the pain and\u003cbr\u003e\nloneliness that is experienced during grief. The water\u003cbr\u003e\nis rippling outwards, expressing the hopeless feeling\u003cbr\u003e\nof longing for something that feels lost forever, and\u003cbr\u003e\nthe impact of losing something or someone so close\u003cbr\u003e\nto the heart. The ripples eventually reach a series\u003cbr\u003e\nof circles at the edge of the painting. These circles\u003cbr\u003e\nshow that this person, or place is not forever lost,\u003cbr\u003e\nand instead lives on inside of us.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826163937470,"sku":"JS-G-4","price":805.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Grief.jpg?v=1738296329"},{"product_id":"natures-connection","title":"Natures Connection","description":"\u003cp\u003eNatures Connection\u003cbr\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003eacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e40.7 x 50.9cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis scene depicts a landscape that I used to watch every morning, where I would find images of various faces or objects in the leaves of the trees. I would frequently sit and think about the shapes and patterns that manifested, and I now realise that my ancestors were communicating to me through these images. The blue circles in this painting represent these ancestors, and how they can appear in nature to guide us.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826166362302,"sku":null,"price":1100.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/DSC_3933.jpg?v=1738302619"},{"product_id":"out-of-touch","title":"Out of Touch","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n50 x 76cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis painting represents the feeling of being disconnected from Culture and communities. The woman depicted in the piece is shown looking longingly at the sky where there are yarning circles, this is representative of my search for Cultural connection when I was younger and the feeling of being disconnected from aboriginal family and knowledge. This search was eventually answered with the community I am now surrounded with.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826166886590,"sku":null,"price":1800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Img050.jpg?v=1738303622"},{"product_id":"pheobe-stewart","title":"Pheobe Stewart","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n40.7 x 50.9cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis portrait depicts my sister, Pheobe and her caring, uplifting nature.\u003cbr\u003e\nI have depicted her personality through bright colours and symbols\u003cbr\u003e\nthat work together to capture her essence and spirit. The vibrant hues\u003cbr\u003e\nand meaningful symbols in the portrait reflect her positive energy\u003cbr\u003e\nand compassionate soul. Overall, this portrait serves as a beautiful\u003cbr\u003e\ntribute to my sister’s loving and nurturing presence in my life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826166952126,"sku":null,"price":1105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/DSC_3930.jpg?v=1738303643"},{"product_id":"power","title":"Power","description":"\u003cp\u003ePower \u003cbr\u003e\n2024 \u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\n122 x 91cm \u003cbr\u003e\nThis painting depicts a burning flame, yarning circles, and the aboriginal flag. This is symbolism of the power of aboriginal culture and community. The flame represents the ongoing strength and power of our ancestors, elders, communities, and culture. The flame also ties in with this year’s NAIDOC week theme, “keep the fire burning black loud and proud”. The fire produces smoke of varying shapes such as yarning circles. These circles represent community and future.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826167050430,"sku":null,"price":1320.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Power.jpg?v=1738303686"},{"product_id":"referendum","title":"Referendum","description":"\u003cp\u003eReferendum \u003cbr\u003e\n2024 \u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas \u003cbr\u003e\n40.6 x 121.9cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis artwork shows a broad, sunlit mountainside with strewn trees scattered throughout. This image is a representation of Australian land and culture, and symbolism of the community. On the bottom of the painting is a pit, this pit serves as a metaphor for the tension that arose during the referendum and illustrates how it can negatively impact a community, similarly to how an entire ecosystem is affected by change.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826167476414,"sku":null,"price":675.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/20240521_095317.jpg?v=1738303842"},{"product_id":"resistance","title":"Resistance","description":"\u003cp\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n91.5 x 60.5cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThe painting “Resistance” represents the resilience\u003cbr\u003e\nand strength of Aboriginal people and stories during\u003cbr\u003e\nthe invasion of Australia. Colonization caused\u003cbr\u003e\nthousands of Aboriginal Australians to be stripped\u003cbr\u003e\nof their culture in an attempt to erase Australian\u003cbr\u003e\nhistory. However, through storytelling, connecting\u003cbr\u003e\nwith elders and ancestors, Aboriginal people resisted\u003cbr\u003e\nand continue to have a strong connection with\u003cbr\u003e\ntheir culture. This is shown in this painting through\u003cbr\u003e\nsymbolism such as the lines spreading across the\u003cbr\u003e\ncanvas, representing storytelling and tradition. The\u003cbr\u003e\ncircles following the lines represent culture, land,\u003cbr\u003e\nelders, and ancestors. Showing how aboriginal\u003cbr\u003e\nculture lives on through all these things.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826167541950,"sku":"JS-R-3","price":795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Resistance.jpg?v=1738304034"},{"product_id":"sacred-land","title":"Sacred Land","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003e\nacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e\n50 x 76cm\u003cbr\u003e\nThis painting depicts Uluru, an important Cultural landmark for aboriginal people. Uluru is an example of sacred land that was used as a tourist destination after colonisation, later allowing people to climb on the landmark. In this piece it is used as representation of resilience, stories, and the land that aboriginal people have fought to protect.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826167705790,"sku":null,"price":1280.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Img078.jpg?v=1738304482"},{"product_id":"the-journey","title":"The Journey","description":"\u003cp\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003eacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e51 x 41cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘The Journey’ represents the fight that Aboriginal people, particularly our Elders and ancestors have taken to reveal the beauty of Aboriginal culture. Despite the intense struggles and bloodshed, that has been hidden and locked away, our ancestors and Elders give us strength to break through and relearn. This particular artwork uses many symbols to represent this. The heart in the middle of the canvas represents Aboriginal culture, and the ancestors who have passed on. The artwork surrounding the heart represents storytelling, our Elders and the land. A large piece of canvas is surrounding this artwork, this has been made to look rough, hastily stapled on and as if it has been ripped open from the inside. The canvas represents the attempt to cover up Aboriginal culture, with red string symbolising the bloodshed that it resulted in. Finally, the dotted artwork on the outside of the canvas, represents a new generation of Aboriginal people learning about the culture, the land, the people, and the stories. It has been made to look like veins to tie in with the heart to show how our ancestors guide us through this Journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44826169344190,"sku":"JS-TJ-1","price":500.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/TheJourney.jpg?v=1738305198"},{"product_id":"white-rock","title":"White Rock","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhite Rock\u003cbr\u003e2025\u003cbr\u003eacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e30 x 40cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhite rock\u003cbr\u003eThe place I want to have as my Wynne entry 2025 is white rock. \u003cbr\u003eWhite rock is a culturally significant landmark to Aboriginal people, as the caves and outcroppings were known as spaces to connect country and personal identity and to pass on cultural knowledge. The site is also known culturally as a women’s area. However, during World War 2 US troops used white rock as a military training ground, where gun pits and “unexploded ordnance” may still be present. There are fences and warning signs in particular areas around white rock where those potential dangers remain. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45450156441790,"sku":"JS-TJ-1","price":1600.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/f5859827-b10c-4b35-aced-73a836007856.jpg?v=1759255855"},{"product_id":"creativity","title":"Creativity","description":"\u003cp\u003eCreativity\u003cbr\u003e2025\u003cbr\u003eacrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e25.4 x 10cm \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe focus for my 2025 Sulman piece is not only focusing on knowledge, but also creativity. Perfecting technique and anatomy can elevate art, but in my experience, I have found that focusing too much on the technical side of art has muffled my creativity in the past. This painting is representative of feeling as if you are stuck in a box where you cannot think and create freely. The message behind this piece is to show the importance of keeping a balance between the technical and creative sides of art.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45450157457598,"sku":"JS-TJ-1","price":590.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/8e577ee3-3d55-4d40-ad7e-cac142537abb.jpg?v=1759255842"},{"product_id":"jemma-stewart-self-portrait","title":"Jemma Stewart - Self Portrait","description":"\u003cp\u003eJemma Stewart- Self Portrait\u003cbr\u003e2026\u003cbr\u003eAcrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e61 x 51cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI’ve recently been very focused on improving myself for the better.\u003cbr\u003eI hold a lot of doubt within and have been on a journey to love\u003cbr\u003emyself again. I used to struggle to fully embrace my Aboriginal\u003cbr\u003eheritage in public spaces. Not because of shame but fear of\u003cbr\u003eother people’s opinions of my pale skin. Others love denying the\u003cbr\u003eAboriginal blood in me because I don’t “look” the part. These\u003cbr\u003epeople do not know me, or my family, or my history. Yet they\u003cbr\u003edeny my place in spaces they are not a part of. My family’s history\u003cbr\u003eis one of lost story’s and an attempt to erase us. I will not be a\u003cbr\u003eresult of this. I will not allow them to call me a success. It is now\u003cbr\u003emy responsibility to honour my ancestors and be proud of who I\u003cbr\u003eam. I hope to one day inspire my younger brothers and sisters to\u003cbr\u003edo the same. And educate those who do not understand or are\u003cbr\u003esimply ignorant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47598753513662,"sku":"JS-TJ-1","price":850.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/JemmaStewart-SelfPortrait.jpg?v=1780382680"},{"product_id":"sacred-art","title":"Sacred Art","description":"\u003cp\u003eSacred Art\u003cbr\u003e2026\u003cbr\u003eAcrylic on Canvas\u003cbr\u003e26 x 22cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI have been asked many times in the past “what do you want to do\u003cbr\u003ewith your life” and when my response was “I want to be an artist”\u003cbr\u003eI was often criticised. People would say “but what do you really\u003cbr\u003ewant to do” or “don’t you want to do something more important”.\u003cbr\u003eIn the time we live in now, with AI and social media, people have\u003cbr\u003elost touch with art and forgotten how truly important it is. The\u003cbr\u003eidea that art isn’t important in society is disproven with one look\u003cbr\u003einto history. Art in all its forms plays beautiful roles in cultures\u003cbr\u003eall around the world. For Aboriginal people, art tells stories.\u003cbr\u003ePassed down information for generations. And to say this is not\u003cbr\u003eimportant is close minded and ignorant. Every person who uses\u003cbr\u003etheir hands and tools to create something meaningful is doing\u003cbr\u003esomething sacred. It doesn’t matter the focus or context. The\u003cbr\u003elevel of severity, or if it’s a little silly. It’s all just as important\u003cbr\u003eas each other. Art brings people together while also expressing\u003cbr\u003econtradicting opinions. It makes people laugh and helps people\u003cbr\u003eheal. It comforts people and confronts people. There are no\u003cbr\u003edoubts that what I will do with my life, is going to make a change\u003cbr\u003eand I will never entertain the ideas of people who say otherwise.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47598754463934,"sku":"JS-TJ-1","price":875.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/SacredArt.jpg?v=1780382730"},{"product_id":"self-love","title":"Self Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eSelf Love\u003cbr\u003e2026\u003cbr\u003eAcrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e71 x 50cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI have been spending lots of time near the water recently,\u003cbr\u003especifically the Wynnum and manly areas. My time spent there\u003cbr\u003eis used to meditate and relax and has reinstated to me the\u003cbr\u003eimportance of connection to land and nature. The act of existing\u003cbr\u003ein nature is refreshing and healing. Looking out between the\u003cbr\u003ebreaks in the mangroves watching the water rise and fall as\u003cbr\u003etime passes is a peaceful and essential experience for me. In a\u003cbr\u003etime where it feels almost impossible to be vulnerable I can\u003cbr\u003eexist however I want. I have naturally built a relationship with\u003cbr\u003ethis area. It’s inspired me to put my phone away and exist in\u003cbr\u003esilence comfortably. Visually I intended this painting to express\u003cbr\u003emy relationship with this space. By trying new techniques and\u003cbr\u003eexperimenting with shape, colour and composition I created a\u003cbr\u003escene that depicted the beauty in nature, and the emotions it\u003cbr\u003eprovokes within me represented by the colours and shapes in the\u003cbr\u003epainting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47598756626622,"sku":"JS-TJ-1","price":1250.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/SelfLove.jpg?v=1780382842"},{"product_id":"equity","title":"Equity","description":"\u003cp\u003eEquity\u003cbr\u003e2026\u003cbr\u003eAcrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e70 x 50cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI always hear people complaining about the “benefits” Aboriginal\u003cbr\u003epeoples get from the government. But they always deny the\u003cbr\u003epurpose of these benefits. The effects of the stolen generation\u003cbr\u003eand mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples is still being seen\u003cbr\u003etoday. Generational trauma exists leading to mental health\u003cbr\u003eissues that are disregarded and ignored every day by the same\u003cbr\u003epeople who call Indigenous Australians addiction prone and\u003cbr\u003elazy. Poor mental health leads to a plethora of issues including\u003cbr\u003eaddiction and is debilitating when kept unchecked. Racists deny\u003cbr\u003ethe existence of these problems because they want to paint\u003cbr\u003eAboriginal peoples in a certain light. Putting focus on bettering\u003cbr\u003ethe general mental health of Indigenous Australians includes\u003cbr\u003eexposing corruption in systems that fail Aboriginal peoples and\u003cbr\u003eacknowledge the importance of equity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47613886988478,"sku":null,"price":1350.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Equity.jpg?v=1780883803"},{"product_id":"acknowledgment-and-celebration","title":"Acknowledgment and celebration","description":"\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgment and celebration\u003cbr\u003e2026\u003cbr\u003eAcrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e50 x 70cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe purpose of reconciliation week is for the Indigenous and\u003cbr\u003enon Indigenous Australians to come together as a community\u003cbr\u003eand work towards reconciliation. For some reason I feel like\u003cbr\u003ethat’s not what actually happens during this celebratory week.\u003cbr\u003eWhen I look into comment sections on social media all I see\u003cbr\u003eis complaining, unapologetic racism, and negativity. Why is it\u003cbr\u003ethat there is so many awful things to be said about a joyous\u003cbr\u003eoccasion. Simply put it’s because of ignorance and a lack of\u003cbr\u003eacknowledgment. In order to celebrate, it’s important to\u003cbr\u003erecognise that this divide is exactly why we need this day. If\u003cbr\u003ewe as a majority truly reconcile, racists will be outnumbered\u003cbr\u003eand we can finally shut them down. Bystanders to racism is\u003cbr\u003ebecoming more and more regular, and the reason these racists\u003cbr\u003erun rampant behind their screens is because they think it’s\u003cbr\u003eacceptable in society. And it absolutely is not. We need to\u003cbr\u003eproudly celebrate each other, and build strong beautiful bonds\u003cbr\u003eso we can shut down negativity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47613887185086,"sku":null,"price":950.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Acknowledgmentandcelebration.jpg?v=1780883889"},{"product_id":"ignorance","title":"Ignorance","description":"\u003cp\u003eIgnorance\u003cbr\u003e2026\u003cbr\u003eAcrylic on canvas\u003cbr\u003e90 x 60cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIgnorance is frustratingly common when it comes to the history\u003cbr\u003eof Australia and what happened\/ is currently happening to\u003cbr\u003eIndigenous peoples. Ignorance is an extremely prevalent issue\u003cbr\u003eright next to arrogance, when it comes to the unjust persecution\u003cbr\u003eof Indigenous Australians. The assumption that addiction and\u003cbr\u003ehigh incarceration rates in Indigenous communities is because\u003cbr\u003ethey are bad people is a ridiculous and uneducated take. When\u003cbr\u003ein reality it’s because of the systematic oppression, and systems\u003cbr\u003eput in place to intentionally put down Indigenous Australians.\u003cbr\u003ePersonally I believe it is extremely important to show up and\u003cbr\u003eeducate our communities on the reality of these situations.\u003cbr\u003eTeach the unspoken history in schools. Otherwise we will keep\u003cbr\u003eexperiencing generations of people that can’t wrap their heads\u003cbr\u003earound empathy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47613888626878,"sku":null,"price":1250.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/files\/Ignorance.jpg?v=1780883995"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/7653\/2926\/collections\/DSC_4391.jpg?v=1738307350","url":"https:\/\/birrunga.myshopify.com\/collections\/jemma-stewart.oembed","provider":"Birrunga Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}