About the artwork
Connections is an artwork that reflects ICC Sydney’s core values and how we all relate to each other; our team, clients, partners, delegates, patrons, and the community around us.
On Thursday 1 June 2023, during National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), over 80 ICC Sydney team members collaborated to create this artwork under the guidance of Dalmarri owners and artists Jason Douglas and Trevor Eastwood. Dalmarri is an Aboriginal owned business that specialises in Indigenous engagement, learning and connection.
In collaboration with Dalmarri, to create the artwork the team took inspiration from the local topography and colour palette of Tumbalong (the land) and Gomora (the waterways) of what is today known as Darling Harbour. You can see this inspiration play out in the blues that reflect the sparkling waters, greens that represent native flora and reds which reflect both the earth and the urban fabric around us.
Connections features various symbols utilised for tens of thousands of years within First Nations communities to communicate key features of daily life, such as campfires, trails, resources like emu eggs, and the people that connect to the land and each other. The artwork represents our connection to Country, our connection to each other and everyone who is part of our extraordinary community.
Connections was unveiled during NAIDOC Week 2023 (2 – 9 July), celebrating the important role that Elders have played and continue to play within Indigenous families and communities through the theme ‘For Our Elders’.
Thank you to every single person who participated in this special day:
Aaron Vorn, Aiden Branik, Aisha Syed, Ajay Vemulapalli, Angela Simic, Angela Bengulo, Angitha Kanatt, Anthony Chin, Ashleigh Vassallo, Barbara Addison, Ben Hall, Bhairavi Salunke, Bishal Ban, Borbor Jalloh Charles Tjokro, Chris Gatt, Cindy Melendres, Danny D’Bais, Dinkar Bhatta, Elyce McClelland, Emily Bollom, Emily Kardum, Fernando Figueroa, Genevieve Collier, Geoff Donaghy, Georgia Rudder, Grace Maher, Greg White, Holly Hayes, Jack Dunn, Jack Crozier, Jake Piccirillo, Jasmine Tijono, Jenny Verus, Jess Zickar, Jessica Oliveux, Johana Pimienta, Juan Aranda, Juliette Merheb, Kelsey Jeffares, Khanh Trieu, Krysten Craig, Libby O’Leary, Loni Thompson, Lucy Woodward, Luke Fleming, Lynell Peck, Malu Barrios, Mario Romero, Mark Schultz, Matthew Whitaker, Matthew Pok, Maurizio Strazzeri, Maya Quester, Monique Stano, Natalie La Rosa, Natasja Eugenio, Nigel Du, Patrick Cheer, Pawan Paudel, Phoebe Gyzen, Rachael Tsicalas, Rakesh Pillai, Robbie Brown, Sachie Osawa, Sadhana Basnet, Safa Kaya, Sahil Sharma, Samantha Glass, Sandra Rae, Serkan Tamcelik, Shachi Sheth, Sharon Foster, Sherree Demillo, Skye Martin, Sonya Goncalves, Stephanie Humphries, Syed Muslim, Victoria Mellos
Jason Douglas
Jason is a Murri Man, whose people belong to the tribal lands of the Kabi Kabi of south-eastern Queensland, including Noosa. His father, Michael Douglas is Traditional Owner/ Native Title Kubi-Kubi.
Jason is an artist. Through various creative mediums including painting and other forms of Aboriginal art, he connects and educates others about Indigenous culture. He has extensive experience mentoring and supporting the Indigenous community in their employment journey. His ability to listen, connect and engage enable him to plan and lead tailored workshops, cultural immersions and school programs.
He has also dedicated 12 years of service as a firefighter with NSW Fire and Rescue at Penrith. Jason enjoys participating in education programs in schools and communities teaching about Aboriginal culture, art, history and the Dreaming.
Trevor Eastwood
Trevor hails from the Ngamba people on the Barwon River, part of Kamiloroi country, on the outskirts of Brewarrina, NSW. He has lived most of his life in Western Sydney and works closely with schools across Sydney teaching about Aboriginal culture. Since 2014, Trevor has been a mentor with Diversity Dimensions working on their Resourcing the Future program. Trevor has been a firefighter with NSW Fire and Rescue for the past 24 years and has been station commander at Penrith Fire Station.
Trevor’s father and role model, Danny Eastwood won the Indigenous Australian Artist of the Year award twice. He has a strong role model in his father, who taught him the importance of walking in two worlds—a quality Trevor brings to the work he does in helping his culture thrive.
Over the last 15 years, Trevor has delivered cultural immersion programs across Sydney, been involved in Aboriginal archaeology as a site officer and worked with Indigenous employment programs as a mentor.
Text credit: Dalmarri. https://dalmarri.com.au/pages/our-story
