Creating connections through art Mullum High teacher and Wiradjuri elder Scott Sentance with Ed Sinnott have joined forces with the Mulllum Chamber of Commerce and Mullum Newsagency to create an Indigenous artwork outside the newsagent. The artwork is currently being brought to life with the help of Indigenous students from Mullumbimby High School on the pole outside the newsagency.
‘This has been a project that Mullumbimby High School has worked on with the newsagent and Chamber of Commerce to bring to life over the last year,’ said Mr Sentance who has designed the artwork.
’We originally planned to have the work done last year but because of the heat and fires, then COVID we had to postpone until now.’
The work displays a range of Aboriginal iconography that looks at the stories associated with the creation story of Biami, who had hands for feet and everywhere he jumped he created life, Mount Warning, and other local stories.
‘It was inspired by the stories of Minjungbal elder Athol Compton and a poem by long time local Frank Mills,’ said Mr Sentence.
‘Jarmbi, a Githabul man, also gifted us one of his designs.’
The artwork has created plenty of interest from locals and visitors who are stopping to take pictures and have a chat about the artwork
‘I love it, it has been very connecting and spiritual process,’ said Mullumbimby High School student Nakeya Squires who is helping paint the artwork.
‘It is really nice to have people stopping and acknowledging us and taking the time to complement the artwork.’
The initiative for the artwork was a combination of the Mullumbimby High School principle Greg Armstrong, deputy principle Cameron Johnson and the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce.
‘We have been working with the High School for over a year on the project and it has created a huge amount of interest from everyone in the local community, said president of the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce, Janelle Stanford.
‘We have permission to paint the pole from the local mob,’ said Mr Sentance.
‘The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce have always been really supportive of the Aboriginal cultural protocols.’
‘It is really good to have a community project for the Koori students so that they can interact with the people of Mullum,’ sad Mr Sinnott.
‘It is a great experience people are stopping to talk with us and the students and showing lots of love and affections. Everyone is into the spirit of it.’
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