In Principio_S1 2018_WEB

TOP WA ARTIST AND STUDENTS BRING TOUCH OF HOME TO CAMPUS TopWA Indigenous artist, Juanetia (Neta) Knapp , and a team of Aboriginal students at Notre Dame have unveiled a major work of art on the Fremantle Campus, designed to bring to life the colours, symbols and stories of their lands. Ms Knapp worked as Artist in Residence at the University's Manjaree Place to plan the creative content and guide the students, who have come from all over Australia to study at Notre Dame, in the intricacies of Aboriginal art. The 5.5m x 2.2m painting, which took more than two months to finish, was unveiled in December at Manjaree Place – a meeting place for Aboriginal students which opened to coincide with 2017 National Reconciliation Week. Titled ‘Manjaree Mia Kaart’ (meaning: a place of learning, a place of history and a place of spiritual journey of knowledge) the artwork depicts the bold colours of the land and the sea, and features images such as turtles, kangaroos and fish, which all have special meaning to individual students. “When Aboriginal students come to Notre Dame from across Australia and see the colours of this artwork, they will be able to relate to the stories being told in the painting which will remind them of home,” said Ms Knapp. “It is important to have a painting like this because it documents our 40,000-year history – from how men tracked kangaroos through the bush, to the range of traditional medicines used and customs practised over time.” Associate Professor Clive Walley, Director of Indigenous Education at Notre Dame, said this important project will further encourage dialogue about Nyungar and Aboriginal cultural ways in the heart of Fremantle. “Throughout the year, many Notre Dame students have visited Manjaree Place between classes to complete assignments and study for exams. The inclusion of this significant piece of art to this meeting space will make students feel at home – surrounded by the stories, colours and memories from their home on Country,” Associate Professor Walley said. Project Coordinator from the School of Medicine, Louise Austen, said the painting was a great example of reconciliation in action and gave Notre Dame staff and students an opportunity to work alongside Nyungar Elders. “This painting conveys deep meanings of belonging and connection to Country for Aboriginal staff and students at Notre Dame. Through the vision of Neta and all those who contributed to this important project, Notre Dame continues to embrace the sharing of culture, stories and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” Ms Austen said. “When Aboriginal students come to Notre Dame from across Australia and see the colours of this artwork, they will be able to relate to the stories being told in the painting which will remind them of home.” – Neta Knapp I N P R I N C I P I O | 1 1