The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has taken a step further towards its commitment to First Nations reconciliation, launching an artwork to form a key part of its identity.
Titled Kinship, the custom artwork was created by Olympic boxer and former AIS scholarship holder and Indigenous artist Brad Hore.
The ASC said the Dunghutti man spent time at the AIS Campus in Canberra to identify key themes for the piece before travelling to Thursday Island to learn from Torres Strait Islander elders to ensure the artwork represented all Indigenous peoples.
Mr Hore said his art told the story of the ASC’s vision that sport had a place for everyone and delivered results that made Australia proud.
“In the middle we have a meeting place for junior athletes with footsteps reaching out to both women in sport and men as well,” Mr Hore said.
“The Torres Strait Islander art represents the current which is the athletes coming in and out and the handprint represents the identity for any athlete that’s coming in (to the system).”
Chief Executive of the Australian Sports Commission, Kieren Perkins congratulated Mr Hore and the broader working group on the design.
“We wanted to create something meaningful to be part of our identity and to represent the ASC and what we stand for,” Mr Perkins said.
“As a leader in the Australian sports sector, we play an important role nationally and internationally and this artwork tells the story of the key role sport plays in the lives of all Australians,” he said.
“With the Green and Gold decade underway, Australia is fortunate to be hosting a number of major events. All of these people will walk on the lands of our First Nations peoples, and we have an opportunity and a responsibility to showcase the oldest living culture on Earth.”
Mr Perkins said the artwork reflected how the ASC leads, supports and provides opportunities for all communities to be involved in sport while also growing elite success and inspiring future generations.
He said the ASC’s focus on developing pathways, celebrating diversity and achieving success beyond the sporting agenda is also incorporated.
Indigenous Liaison Officer at the ASC, Walbunja man Erik Wilson said the artwork would help break down barriers.
“Not only will it provide the warm and welcoming context for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people visiting the AIS Campus in Canberra, but it’ll let people know that the Australian Sports Commission acknowledges and welcomes people from all communities from around Australia,” Mr Wilson said.
The artwork and its design elements are to be included in signage across the AIS Campus in Canberra, the European Training Centre in Italy as well the ASC’s offices in Melbourne and Sydney and on uniforms, online platforms and publications.
