The Department of Defence has installed a new artwork at its Canberra headquarters recognising the contribution Aboriginal Australians have made over the years defending Australia.
Unveiled to the public for the first time the artwork, Kulatangku angakanyini manta munu Tjukurpa (Country and culture will be protected by spears) was painted by artists from South Australia’s remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and tells the story of Aboriginal Australians defending their land, country and culture.
Indigenous Champion at Defence, Steve Grzeskowiak said the artwork presented an opportunity for Defence to help with the reconciliation journey.
“With powerful symbolism, it depicts the myriad and complex ways in which rock holes, trees and the landscape are protectors of the APY way of life,” Mr Grzeskowiak said.
Painted by 19 senior men of the APY Lands, the artwork is on loan from the Australian War Memorial. The painting has a sister piece at the Memorial which has pride of place across from the bullet-ridden Gallipoli landing boat.
Director of the War Memorial, Brendan Nelson said the artists visited the Memorial in May 2017.
“While there, they identified the Memorial’s place in relation to the songlines from the APY Lands and Canberra as a traditional meeting place for Indigenous people,” Dr Nelson said.
“They visited the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and heard the stories of service and sacrifice in the First World War Galleries.”
The text on the painting translates to: “The old men strongly protect the country and culture” and “many old men together agree not to write down on paper their strong sacred law and culture”.
