NAIDOC WEEK 2024

At Urban Road, we are deeply committed to honouring and celebrating the Australian Indigenous community. We understand the importance of building awareness around the Aboriginal community, and we contribute by sharing beautiful artwork created by Indigenous Australians to highlight their stories and heritage. That's why we encourage you, the Australian public, to celebrate NAIDOC Week each year.

NAIDOC Week is a significant event that honours the history, culture, and achievements of Indigenous Australians. It’s a time to reflect, celebrate, and embrace the rich diversity of Australian Indigenous cultures.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ABORIGINAL ART

Aboriginal art is a profound expression of culture, identity, and spirituality that connects Indigenous peoples to their heritage. This art form encompasses a wide range of mediums, including rock paintings, bark paintings, sculptures, and contemporary works. Each piece serves as a testament to the rich history and traditions of Australia's First Nations people.

Here are some key elements of Indigenous art:

Aboriginal art is an important tool for storytelling, conveying Dreamtime stories that are foundational to Indigenous culture. These stories explain the creation of the world and natural phenomena, passed down through generations.
Indigenous artists preserve their culture and educate others through their art. Artworks are imbued with symbolic meanings, teaching younger generations about their heritage and the natural world.
Aboriginal art fosters understanding and respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. By sharing their stories and perspectives through art, Indigenous artists help bridge cultural divides and promote appreciation for the diversity and richness of Aboriginal cultures.

WHAT IS NAIDOC WEEK?

NAIDOC Week is a significant event that raises awareness about the experiences and contributions of Indigenous Australians. NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee, with origins dating back to the 1920s. Aboriginal groups initiated this movement to highlight the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to build awareness in the broader Australian community.

NAIDOC Week promotes understanding, respect, and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. It's a time for all Australians to come together and celebrate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud”, celebrates the unyielding spirit of communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced. To learn more about this year's theme, click here.
NAIDOC Week 2024 is celebrated this year from the 7th to the 14th of July.

Aboriginal art serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural expression, and connection to Country for Indigenous Australians. Their works are filled with symbolic meanings and are often used to teach younger generations about their heritage and the natural world. The intricate patterns and vibrant colours found in Aboriginal art are not only aesthetically pleasing but also carry deep cultural significance. This year, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the many talented Aboriginal artists in the community, Amanda Hinkelmann.

WHO IS AMANDA HINKELMANN?

Amanda Hinkelmann is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Wagga Wagga on Wiradjuri Country. Her upbringing, deeply connected to the beauty of nature and Indigenous culture, laid the foundation for her artistic journey, heavily influenced by her father's Aboriginal heritage. Amanda's artistic talent serves as her voice, a means to communicate, connect, and express her experiences and heritage.

Amanda’s artwork is centred around three main themes: connection, Country, and experience. Each piece she creates is a narrative, evoking emotions, sharing cultural stories, and fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives. Her passion for art is profound, acting as a form of therapy and providing her with fulfilment and emotional strength.

Art is Amanda’s way of bringing her intuitive strengths to life, making it an essential part of her existence. She views her journey in art as one of continuous exploration, growth, and a deepening connection to herself, her culture, and her Country.

What inspired you to create the pieces in this collection?

These artworks were based on a collection of earlier works. They reflect my three key subjects- Connection, Country and Experience and are based around my life and upbringing on Country.

Could you share the specific elements or motifs that you personally incorporate into your art, and what they represent in terms of your cultural identity?

Most of my artworks begin with symbols of place and people. They feature prominently in my work, as does the mighty Murrumbidgee river, and unique symbols of the land, specifically Wiradjuri Country.

How do you think does your artwork contribute to sustaining and sharing Aboriginal stories, traditions, and knowledge?

I share my work as one way of keeping my culture alive, and to share my appreciation and love of my culture, family and heritage. I share some traditional stories and knowledge, and paint my story and others in artworks also.

As an Indigenous artist, how do you perceive the significance of NAIDOC Week in promoting and preserving Aboriginal art and culture?

NAIDOC Week is a week of celebration and strength! I am excited every year when they release the theme and every year it seems to get better and better. The week shines a spotlight on culturally significant strengths and people. It highlights that in which we still need to move forward with and provides a platform for voices to be heard and celebrated.

In what ways do you think art can bridge the gap and foster understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities?

Appreciation is key, with many non-indigenous people wanting a piece of art as an appreciation and respectfulness of our culture. The artworks aim to always imprint understanding of endurance, love for Country and respect for Mother Earth. My people are gentle and loving and I always try to portray this within my art.

HOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR NAIDOC WEEK

There are many ways that you can support NAIDOC Week and spread awareness about the contributions, resilience, and rich heritage of Indigenous peoples.

Engage with local Traditional Owners and your local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Community.
Read a book written by a First Nations author.
Display the National NAIDOC Week Poster in your workplace or classroom and get your hands on some National NAIDOC Week merchandise! To get your poster and merch visit the NAIDOC website.
Listen to podcasts or music by First Nations Artists and creatives.
Attend a NAIDOC Week Event.
Speak to a First Nations artist.

To find out more ways to show your support, please visit www.naidoc.org.au.

Aboriginal art is also a significant part of supporting First Nations people, as it’s a gateway to cultural understanding and storytelling. You can purchase an Aboriginal artwork from our Aboriginal Art Collection which includes a new series of pieces by Amanda Hinkelmann.

At Urban Road, we’re dedicated to investing a stream of
ongoing financial support back to our Aboriginal artist community, which is why for every artwork sold, a percentage of the sale price goes directly back to the Indigenous artist.

Also, don’t forget to read about the meaning behind each artwork and get familiar with the artists by clicking “Download Artist Story” in the description of each artwork.