Services Australia debuts new First Nations art

Services Australia has launched new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork as part of the agency’s brand.

Services Australia commissioned two Indigenous artists, Jasmine Bennett and Glen Mackie, to create the artworks, representing the concept of progress. The designs will be used in customer communication and the corporate wardrobe.

Both artists created their artworks using techniques and designs that have been passed down to them by their families.

Jasmine Bennett is a Kamilaroi and Dunghutti artist living on Gumbaynggirr land (the Coffs Harbour region). She’s also a Services Australia staff member.

‘My mum always encourages us to explore our Indigenous heritage,’ said Jasmine. ‘When we were young, she was always really involved in sharing our culture.'

‘The sun signifies the light shining upon our journey, lighting our way forward. Our progress is represented by the purple timeline flowing through the piece, connecting us from one point to the next.’

Jasmine consulted with a Gumbaynggirr Elder, Uncle Tony, to seek permission to use a meeting place symbol used at Arrawarra - a special meeting place for Aboriginal people around Coffs Harbour. This symbol is also inspired by nations of the Central Desert region.

‘The meeting places represent people coming together. As the purple storyline flows, the meeting places become larger, showing the growth of connection to community and each other,' she explained.

Two types of seashells are featured in the artwork: the pipi and the turnip shell. Gum leaves and gum flowers are placed opposite the seashells.

‘Together, the leaves and seashells represent our connection with the lands we live and work on around Australia,' Jasmine said.

Small blue curls stretch out from these symbols as a reminder of the connection we all share with freshwater and seawater.

‘These connect to the concentric circles, representing all Australians, as well as community and our ancestors, who watch over us and continue to be a part of our life and journey,’ she said.

Glen Mackie is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist originally from Iama in the Torres Strait and Old Mapoon. He currently lives on Yidinji Country (the Cairns region).

‘I learnt all the stories and designs from my grandmother and grandfather,’ said Glen. ‘They taught me that the designs are not mine to keep, they belong to my people, it’s our heritage.’

Glen explained that his artwork illustrates the importance of consultation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians as the key to progressing together.

'The herons represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians,’ he said.

‘The wave pattern set below the herons represents voice and speaking to one another. Men and women are represented by the triangles, featured between two sets of E symbols. These symbolise talking and represent teaching one another and teaching the next generation. The weaving pattern symbolises the Torres Strait Islander tradition of sitting on a mat and teaching one another about family and culture.’