Image: Belinda Bonney, ‘Reconciliation of the Nation: we all walk together as one’
Belinda Bonney is a Meintangk/Boandik/Ngarrindjeri/Kooma, Murriwarri woman. Belinda was born in Blacktown in Sydney in 1977 and grew up in Mount Gambier on Boandik Country.
The development of the Yerkalalpata Reconciliation Action Plan for the City of Mount Gambier, created a fantastic opportunity to feature and celebrate Belinda’s work as a local Aboriginal artist. Belinda was commissioned by the City of Mount Gambier and the Riddoch Art Gallery to create an artwork that interprets the theme of reconciliation.
Belinda introduces this artwork as follows:
“At the centre of the artwork, the circle represents the unity between all Australians. The snake stands for the transformation within our society to reconcile equally, with all Australians working together with a greater understanding of all cultures and traditions. The snake also represents our spiritual connection to our people’s lands and waterways to keep them strong and thriving for all generations to follow. The blue lines represent our waterways that need great healing so they can be replenished for our people and our animals. The black and white lines represent community and campsites that connect our waters and the hands represent equality between all Australians”.
