Circle of Elders

The Circle of Elders in Aboriginal cultures refers to a sacred, symbolic gathering of wise and respected individual elders who play a central role in maintaining and passing on cultural knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and community leadership. This circle represents a space of deep respect, learning, and decision-making, where wisdom is shared, and important matters regarding the wellbeing of the community, traditions, and the environment are discussed.

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I'm a Perth based artist who originates from the Noongar language group based in the South-west of Australia and am traditionally connected to the Ballardong and Minang tribes. I first started painting when i was 12 years old and was inspired by family member artists who include my grandfather Dennis Noongali Kickett and parents Michelle Wilura Kickett and Michael Cummings.

I paint for a hobby and as a form of relaxation in my spare time as it helps me to reflect and to connect to my culture. My work is based around traditional stories and cultural practices which mainly focus on the role Noongar men had. I also paint stories which relate to both my mothers and fathers traditional areas which include coastal and hinterland themes. I mainly work with acrylic paints and practice dot painting techniques and traditional symbolism to represent my themes.

I hope to keep my ancestors culture and stories alive through my artwork and educate the wider community about their i.e. my ancestors traditional way of life. This also includes breaking down barriers for Aboriginal people in the wider society and helping to reconcile past differences between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal people. Further, I hope to inspire other aspiring young Aboriginal artists to realise their potential to pursue a career in the arts.