My artwork portrays the face of a young indigenous person, gazing at the Australian landscape. On his face, he proudly wears ochre, a natural clay Earth pigment that has been prevalent among Indigenous Australians for over 40,000 years. Ochre has been used as a foundation of cultural expression, and this is how my artwork ties with the theme ‘Caring for Country’. Used in many different Aboriginal artworks, ceremonies and rituals, ochre binds Indigenous Australians with each other and their Country, by incorporating a piece of the land we stand on. By conserving the Earth, not only are we maintaining our environment, but we are protecting a piece of tradition, dating back thousands of years to the original owners, of the land we call our home.

Reconciliation means …to join together in unity, and to strengthen and embrace the bonds between people of all colour.

Artist: Lilianna – Year 9