Sunshine

In creating this artwork, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. I pay my respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Life can often challenge us, as it can present us with hard times and dark days and sometimes you feel like there is no end in sight. When I think about what I have been through in my life, I feel proud of my resilience and grateful for the warm sunshine of my friends and family that through tough times have helped me get back up, open that window and let the sunshine through.

In this painting, I explore an explosion of colour with the use of the brightest of yellows representing the sun and the warmth it generates, just like our nearest and dearest bring to our lives.

A large circular symbol made up of intricately painted dots is centred within the artwork with 8 smaller ones, orbiting around the focal symbol like the planets orbit the sun. These particular symbols in Aboriginal culture can have many meanings, however in this artwork through my artistic lens they represent a special meeting place and are a reminder of the many people both family and friends that have circled around me throughout those darker times. These are the people who have helped bring me back to my happy place, a place where I belong.

The hard times may have challenged me but the thought of having to go through them alone would have been so much more of a challenge. I am grateful that I have had the warmth of my family and friends and to know that the sun will always rise, even on the darkest of days.

May your days always be full of sunshine.

Lizzy x