Long ago, before time was measured, the land breathed with life and spirit. This painting tells the story of the Healing Grounds, a sacred stretch of Country where Ancestors once gathered to sing, dance, and restore balance.
The flowing lines and soft gradients of the earth and sky show the merging of elements - the red dirt of the desert blending into turquoise waters and the vast dreaming sky above. It is a place where stories swirl like wind and water, never still, always moving.
The large concentric circles represent gathering places - sacred meeting spots where knowledge was passed through dance, smoke, and storytelling. Surrounding them, the smaller dots echo with the footsteps of ancestors and the presence of kin. Each footprint in the sand marks a journey walked with purpose - by Elders, hunters, mothers, and children.
The U-shapes symbolise people sitting together, sharing stories and food, forming deep bonds of kinship. The white lines flowing across the canvas represent songlines - invisible tracks that crisscross the land, linking sacred sites annd carrying the songs of creation. These lines hold the memory of Country, guiding people across vast terrain, connecting all living things.
Splashes of blue reflect waterholes, life-giving sources that sustain the people and the animals, symbolising the importance of nurturing both body and spirit. The circular dot formations echo flora and fauna - blooming with harmony and resilience.
This piece is apart of the 2025 NAIDOC Exhibition.
