40, 000 Years Is A Long Time
40, 000 Years Is A Long Time was completed in 1983 by artist Carol Ruff. Over thirty years of exposure to the elements has left the wall cracked and the paint peeling,[1] but the mural still stands to pay tribute to the proud Aboriginal history and culture of the area.The prominent feature of the mural, lyrics from Joe Geia’s song “40, 000 Years” span the length of the wall. Ms Ruff says that “We were trying to say that even before Redfern, Aboriginal people have been there, have been in that area, have known this country, this place.”[2]Spanning the length of the wall opposite Redfern Station, the mural tells a story as you work from left to right. Starting with two Aboriginal feet, symbolising how Aboriginal people were the first people in Australia, the story progresses through time depicting key events, including the 40, 000 years that Aboriginal people spent living traditional lifestyles. The story progresses through to the arrival of European settlers and the consequences they had on Aboriginal people, particularly those from the Redfern area and surrounds. The story continues to the stolen generations, but ends on the street signs of Lawson and Eveleigh Street, representing ‘present day’ Redfern and the perseverant nature of Aboriginal people.[3] “We’ll never go away, we’re here, we’ve come back, we haven’t lost our culture and we have survived,” says Ms Ruff.[4] Woven throughout the piece is the Rainbow Serpent, symbolising the continuity of Aboriginal culture.Since its creation in 1983, the mural has been an important part of the streets of Redfern, and remains as such today.[1] Lee, A. (2013) Restoring Redfern’s 40,000 years mural.[2] Ms Carol Ruff.[3] Lee, A. (2013) Restoring Redfern’s 40,000 years mural.[4] Ms Carol Ruff.
Welcome to The Block
The mural Welcome to The Block was finished in February 1994, by artist James Simon, although it was designed by Danny Eastwood, who was NAIDOC Aboriginal Artist of the Year in 1993.[1]This work was council-funded and sponsored, but it came about as the result of a community working party, which included representatives from the council, Aboriginal elders and other community participants.[2][1] Stutsel, C. (2016) 40, 000 Years Mural.[2] Ibid.
Black Anzac
Black Anzac is part of a series of works paying tribute to Aboriginal servicemen in WW1, by artist Hego.[1] This work portrays Alfred Cameron Jr, of the 1st Light Horse Brigade.[2]Hego has explained that his inspiration for the work came from the poem “Black Anzac” by Cecil Fisher. Speaking about his work, Hego has said that his work is about "Not just perpetuating the cult of the Anzac legend, but more their [Aboriginal people’s] unique personal experiences, volunteering to fight for a country that was so blatantly racist and discriminatory to their population."[3]"I've come across stories of many Aboriginals being let off in Sydney and having to pay their own way back to their hometown. A soldier, George Karpany, was recommended for a Victoria Cross for bravery by his Australian officer, only to be knocked back by the British higher ups because he was Aboriginal. I came across the story of another soldier called Arthur Walker, whose family has since called one male from each subsequent generation ‘Anzac’ to honour his contribution fighting for Australia while not being allowed to have a beer with his mates on Anzac Day because of the colour of his skin.”"These are just some of the stories from the handful of soldiers I've recognised in the mural. My goal with my murals is to start a conversation amongst Australians about how we choose to recognise Aboriginal Australian experiences, not only in WWI but across all of modern Australia’s history."[4][1] Guillaume, J. (2015) This artist Is Raising Awareness Of Indigenous Anzacs Through Art.[2] Information taken from the image above.[3] Hego.[4] Ibid.
Welcome to Redfern or The Redfern Terrace
Welcome to Redfern was completed in 2013 by Aboriginal artist Reko Rennie, who worked with a group of local Aboriginal artists.Beginning the piece in December 2012 and finishing it in January 2013, artist Reko Rennie, along with a group of young Aboriginal artists from the local area transformed the former Victorian-era terrace into a celebratory art installation.[1] The brightly coloured mural standing on the corner of Caroline St and Hugo St remains a monument to the culture and history of Redfern.Eora Journey Curatorial Adviser Hetti Perkins says of it that “The Redfern Terrace builds on a long tradition of sharing stories through art, marks the beginning of the City of Sydney’s visionary Eora Journey program. The terrace on Caroline Street sits at the heart of a neighbourhood known for its Aboriginal history and activism, community life and cultural expression.”[2]As a response to the local communities calling for a place for young people and artists to practice, Rennie worked with young Aboriginal artists to develop their skills and artistic practices, by working with them one on one as well as developing their conceptual understanding of themes such as ‘local heroes’. These skills included stencilling projection, freehand spraypainting, pasteups and technologies such as scanning.[3]Rennie is a Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay/Gummaroi man, who discovered his passion for graffiti as a teenager. This passion for art has seen Rennie mature into becoming a skilled and conceptual artist, drawing inspiration from his Aboriginal heritage, often dealing with “what it means to be an urban Aboriginal in contemporary Australia”. The artists Rennie worked with included Nadhia Noter, Trae Campbell, Ji Duncan-Weatherby, Tyrrelle McGrath, Brandon Phillips, Isaac Phillips, Josh Addo and Josh Nolan.[4][1] Author Unknown. (2016) Welcome To Redfern.[2] Hetti Perkins, Eora Journey Curatorial Advisor.[3] Author Unknown. (2016) Welcome To Redfern.[4] Ibid.
Aboriginal Flag Mural
Painted in 2000 by Alex Tui, Redfern’s Aboriginal flag mural has become a landmark for the area.[1] Mr Tui, a resident of Redfern, said that “I thought it was something that would bring people together and [reaffirm] ownership of their part of Sydney.”[2][1] Arlington, K. (2014) Redfern Aboriginal flag mural restoration before pending demolition.[2] Mr Alex Tui.
My kind of neighbourhood
My kind of neighbourhood was painted in July of 1995, by artists Katrina Robertson, Sir Joe Phillips, Josh Hamlin, Rebecca Lyons and Nicole Phillips.[1][1] Information gathered from the images above and below.
Corner of Elizabeth St and Phillip St
This work was completed in April of 1992, by Artist Michal Byrt. It was supported by the local community and the South Sydney Council.[1][1] Information gathered from the images above.
