Art has a unique ability to bring people together, as demonstrated during the National Reconciliation Week event hosted by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and Queensland Cricket.
In an event that aimed to educate students about the part we all play in the journey to reconciliation, several Cairns students took part in activities including contributing to an artwork designed by talented Aboriginal artist and RFDS Ambassador, Wudarabin Snider.
The artwork, spirals of change for a better future, serves as a powerful symbol of multiculturalism and reconciliation.
To emphasise unity, Wudarabin invited students to contribute to the artwork, by adding coloured fingerprints along the spirals. The use of rainbow-coloured dots signifies the multicultural society and the connections and unity among them.
The artwork features a centre circle filled with black, yellow, red, blue, green, and white dots representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Extending from the centre circle are several spirals that symbolise reconciliation through the continuity of understanding and respecting different cultures.
The interactive element provided a unique way to involve students in the creative process and highlighted the message of harmony and shared responsibility in fostering reconciliation.
This opportunity was thoroughly enjoyed by the students, with Wudarabin explaining the day provided a fun but impactful experience.
“Throughout the day, the students were really engaged and had so much fun contributing to the painting,” Wudarabin said.
“The piece started to come together by the end of the day to create a collaborative colourful painting.
“The students were very enthusiastic, and I enjoyed working with them as they all had their own unique way of dotting the painting which made it look unique!”
The RFDS recognise the strength and resilience shown by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and communities and express our gratitude to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, patients, partners and other stakeholders who share their knowledge with us as we continue to grow and learn on our reconciliation journey.
