XTM unveil new artwork to celebrate reconcilation action plan

TORQUAY snow and outdoor wear company XTM has celebrated the completion of its reconciliation action plan by creating a collaborative artwork with local Indigenous creator BJ O’Toole.

The artwork will be used to symbolise the organisation’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation with First Nations people.

It includes references to both the snow and ocean environments of which XTM operate on and features footprints and hands to show the organisation and its community walking together as one.

Indigenous totems like the Bogong Moth, Parwan (the magpie) and Bunjil (the creator eagle) are also common themes in the artwork.

 

Mr O’Toole said he was over the moon to hand the piece over to XTM founder Pete Forras and his team last Friday.

“It’s been a pretty long process, but it’s amazing to have put all the ideas together and to have it finished.

“I’ve tried to encapsulate everything XTM is about.

“I’ve got the sand dunes at the bottom, the footprints to reference where they are today, the coastal waters where they work, the large meeting place with the handprint to touch on their commitment to reconciliation, the mountains for their connection to Taungurung Country (mountain country) as well as the traditional animals spread throughout.

“I painted most of it during the night, and all up I think it took about seven hours roughly.

“It’s exciting it’s all come together and I’m proud of XTM for the steps they are taking towards reconciliation.”

XTM founder Pete Forras said the organisation has been working hard over the past 18-months to get an even deeper knowledge of First Nations culture.

“We’ve wanted to go down the path of incorporating Indigenous art into the company for a while. As we looked into it, it became apparent we needed to do a reconciliation action plan.

“The more we got into it, we realised how important it really was. We’ve worked really hard to be super committed throughout the whole process.

“Part of it all has been getting a piece of artwork.

“BJ has done an incredible job of being able to map out and incorporate all the elements of the ocean and the mountains of which we operate.

“For us, it’s a real connection piece. I love how the hands are in there to recognise our commitment to the reconciliation process and celebrating of Indigenous history and uniquely made art.

“It’s just a beautiful piece and really tells a great story of XTM, which we absolutely love.”

 

The piece will eventually be painted as a mural on their Torquay building and used widely throughout company catalogues and products.

Works on the mural are expected to begin in the coming months and will be unveiled in February 2024.