The latest work of an established Sunshine Coast-based First Nations artist has been chosen to honour a beloved Australian singer-songwriter.
Indigenous artist Dr Jandamarra Cadd was commissioned to paint a mural for the foyer of Kev Carmody House at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus in Brisbane.
The mural was officially unveiled at the announcement of the inaugural winner of the Kev Carmody Scholarship.
It features words from Mr Carmody’s land rights oral history song From Little Things Big Things Grow, which the Bundjalung-Lama Lama man co-wrote with Paul Kelly.
“Uncle Kev and this song encapsulate something very powerful about the spirit of Aboriginal people, but also the spirit of coming together,” Mr Cadd said.
“This piece represents unity and healing on a fundamental level and bringing the truth into the open, as we walk together.
“I hope that when students walk by the mural, it entices them to stop for a moment and wonder about Kev Carmody and what his song represents.”
Mr Cadd’s mural was a fitting backdrop for Mr Carmody to meet proud Jarowair man Thomas Scanlan, who is pursuing his studies at UQ with support from the scholarship.
“I didn’t learn to read and write until I was 10, but once I started to dive deep into the written and spoken word through music – including during my studies at UQ – the world took on a new meaning for me,” Mr Carmody said.
“Having a yarn with these young people here today and hearing about their passions and the opportunities they are taking is special.
“Supporting this new generation to access education is helping us to speak for ourselves – this is such a positive step forward.”
Mr Cadd was recently awarded a $10,000 grant to enliven the new roochydore City Centre with art and culture.
He said he would deliver a large three-panel mural-style artwork and conduct a painting workshop in the garden of the MET site.
The proud Yorta Yorta-Dja Dja Wurrung man has also been honoured several times in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize, including as People’s Choice winner.
Mr Scanlan said he was one of the first in his family to go to university.
“My mum grew up in Cherbourg and left school at 11 – opportunities didn’t come to her, so my parents pushed me to get an education,” he said.
“Studying environmental science has strengthened my connection to country and I’m aiming to merge the knowledge I gain through my degree with the knowledges of my mob as traditional carers of the land.
“This scholarship means I can focus on my studies, rather than spending hours travelling or worrying about financial stress, so it’s a huge weight off my shoulders.
“Seeing the mural of Kev when I walk in gives me such a great feeling – it makes me feel like this is a place for all of us.”
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UQ Professor of Indigenous Education Tracey Bunda said the mural was a relevant backdrop for Mr Carmody to share stories with Indigenous students.
“Kev’s story is all about breaking down barriers in the pursuit of education and it’s important we encourage and support all students to pursue their passions, regardless of their background, location or financial circumstances,” she said.
“Scholarships are one way we can do this and financial reasons are the most common challenge preventing Indigenous peoples from pursuing further study, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
“We want to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are represented and celebrated across our community at UQ and in future workforces.”
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