A large, square-shaped glass platter decorated in bright colours. The central well has three horizontal stripes of burgundy, burnt orange, and red. The central orange stripe has a black, roughly ovular shape in the middle with a red square in its centre. The lower red stripe depicts a person's face. Outside of the well is painted in an ultramarine blue, with a speckled yellow stripe across the width of the platter below the well. To the left of the well is the image of a snake in gold, and on the right of the well is the image of a goanna, also in gold. Above the well is the image of the Southern Cross painted in gold. In each corner of the platter is a square with a saltire (diagonal cross), each in different colours.platter, snake, goanna, indigenous art, aboriginal art, first nations art, southern cross

Escape is a body of work by Taungurung/Filipino artist Alan Stewart made during Melbourne’s long lockdown to reflect his longing to connect to country. “Country has always been my escape and connection to my culture. Without it, I lost a sense of self and a way to revitalise my spirit. Those early mornings and long drives helped me to see what’s special about being on country, land that holds such a deep meaning to my ancestors. I look back now and realise how lucky I was.” - Alan Stewart Artist Bio Alan Stewart is a Taungurung/Filipino artist based in Naarm/Melbourne. He uses photography to document his family, community, and personal journey as a First Nations person. Reflecting stories from his childhood—first in Manila, and then in Melbourne— Stewart’s pictures showcase his rich Filipino and Australian Aboriginal backgrounds. He is a photographer predominantly focusing on landscape and street photography, and has premiered work at West Space, Yirramboi, BlakHeart and PHOTO 2021. He was also the recipient of the Metro Tunnel Creative Program 2D Award at The 8th Koorie Art Show in 2021.

Uncle Brian McKinnon (b. 1957 – d. 2023) was a Geelong-based artist and descendent of the Amangu and Wongai people of Western Australia. He created powerful mixed media works that explore his campaign for Aboriginal rights and his childhood experiences growing up in Western Australia. Scars is a deeply personal and political work that reflects on some of the ways in which Aboriginal people have historically been discriminated against and marginalised because of the colour of their skin and cultural practices. Originally exhibited with two other paintings, it was also made in honour of the artist’s children and their struggle to maintain positive self-esteem. Uncle Brian McKinnon said his children inherited keloids from their ancestors: ‘These keloids look like body scars. In this work, I have placed them in the past and the presence of their ancestors through the act of beautifying the marks, which reflect the landscape and the identity of the person wearing the beautification marks. Although the marks on my children are not so beautiful and they are ostracised because of them, this made me think of racist policies and of course the referendum and when my people were seen for the first time as being human.’

Patrick Dobson, Chair person of Australian Council for Aboriginal reconciliation, raising both flags at NowaNowa Primary School. L-R Ross Nichols principal, Alistair Thorp, Vanessa Hood, Jenny Cross, Katrina Mullett, Anika Onnus, Garry CrossBlack and white photograph of Patrick Dobson, Chair person of Australian Council for Aboriginal reconciliation, raising both flags at NowaNowa Primary School. L-R Ross Nichols principal, Alistair Thorp, Vanessa Hood, Jenny Cross, Katrina Mullett, Anika Onnus, Garry Crossaboriginals, people

Indigenous or First Nation Person beside a large Red River Gum and next to a river (Richardson River) with aboriginal tools. Photo taken at Carrs Plains. Holford Wettenhall, took over as Protector when William Dennis left the Station. Observed during this time indigenous people mainly hunted possum. The last surviving indigenous people at Carrs Plains were moved to Lake Condah and Ebeneezer in 1870. Black and white photograph of a large River Red Gum, with a man standing holding a boomerang, killing stick and shield. Copyright Museum of Victoriastawell aboriginal portrait