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\u201cI guess that way of making change for me is like creating positive change and positive connections with my art in educating and talking to people and sharing stories,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to do it to a point where non-Indigenous people feel as connected to the stories as we do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like our joint history and our joint story, something that we share together.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Surf Coast Shire is working on its first Reconciliation Action Plan and has adopted one of Mr Black\u2019s artworks to help symbolise the journey.<\/p>\n
It portrays the green of the Otways and the blue of the ocean meeting at the beach. Footprints in the sand track from either end of the beach towards a middle ground which is for respectful meeting, deep listening and learning \u2013 a place where green shoots of Reconciliation might grow.<\/p>\n
Mr Black spoke at the shire\u2019s official National Reconciliation Week event held at the council chambers on Tuesday this week, which also featured Adnyamathanha woman and director and co-founder of Arranyinha Marsha Uppill and Wadawurrung woman and cultural educator Corrina Eccles.<\/p>\n
Shire mayor Libby Stapleton said Reconciliation remained one of the council\u2019s major priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cReconciliation Week opens important conversations and opportunities for learning, and challenges us to make change for the benefit of all Australians,\u201d Cr Stapleton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more we know and understand the better equipped we will be to realise that ambition.\u201d<\/p>\n
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ARTIST Gerard Black did not tell the stories of his Aboriginal heritage for a long time because of the prejudices and ignorance of others. \u201cI was painting when I was in my early teens and younger, and then I stopped because of all that \u2018don\u2019t tell people you\u2019re Aboriginal\u2019 narrative,\u201d the 38-year-old said. \u201cThere were […]<\/p>\n