Giving back the theme of indigenous artwork

An artwork by young indigenous artist Johanna Gregory – or Wunbirri as she paints by – about the importance of giving back enjoys pride of place on every page of our website.

We highlight her work during this week’s NAIDOC Week which celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Johanna was living in South Australia/Ngarrindjeri land but wanting to immerse, reconnect and learn more about her indigenous heritage, made the move to Darwin/Larrikia land.

She paints as a hobby to recharge, and as a way of telling her stories and expressing her love of the indigenous culture.

She is a former student of the Stars Foundation, one of The Lottery Corporation’s community partners. She said Stars’ work with young indigenous women was critical to her reconnecting to her culture, and she found the program instrumental in becoming the proud indigenous woman she is today.
 

“It’s because of people like them, my partner, and my love of animals, that has encouraged me continue to tertiary studying as a veterinary nurse,” she said.

Launching The Lottery Corporation, we wanted to acknowledge Australia’s traditional custodians and commissioned Johanna to create an artwork to accompany our Acknowledgement of Country on our website. The physical artwork hangs in our Brisbane office.

Johanna says the work captures the generosity of nature and giving back – a theme which resonates across our company.

“We are fortunate to be blessed with fresh and saltwater ecosystems. People tending to the land must give back what we take,” she said.

“It gives us everything we need, (the) flora and fauna needed to live. I believe giving back to that that gives to us is an important part of life.”

To see more of Johanna’s work, visit @art_by_wunbirri