‘Corroborree” - A Conversation Starter

One talented Wiradjuri artist hopes her Aboriginal art displayed in Griffith Service NSW Centre will become a conversation starter about Aboriginal culture.

Amy Kilby’s digital artwork Corroboree printed on a canvas is a colour celebration of Wiradjuri people.

The 31-year-old’s piece was chosen to feature in the Service Centre by a panel including representatives from the Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service and the Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Corroboree is a bright burst of colours representing the sacred time of celebration for Aboriginal people, signifying the connection to the earth and spirits through the unity and harmony of Aboriginal people as they come together with song, dance, joy and sometimes sorrow.

Griffith is the second of ten Service Centres to engage with their local Aboriginal community including Elders and community organisations to display a local Aboriginal artist’s work following a successful pilot program at Kempsey and Moree in 2022.

Service NSW Aboriginal Artwork Initiative, established following staff and customer feedback, aims to strengthen engagement with and acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as make local centres more welcoming and inclusive for all people.

Griffith Service Centre Manager, Casey Wolfe said they wanted to ensure Service Centres were reflective and inclusive of the communities they serve.

“Sharing artwork by a local Aboriginal artist is just one way we can strengthen our bonds with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Ms Wolfe said.

“Thank you to Amy for wanting to share the stories of the Wiradjuri people, educate others about the richness of their history and inspire all of us through this vibrant artwork.”

“We look forward to serving customers who can now enjoy and appreciate Amy’s artwork while completing government transactions at Griffith Service Centre.”

Griffith Service Centre works closely with local Aboriginal community groups and attends community events such as NAIDOC celebrations to increase awareness of government services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Service NSW also offers an Aboriginal Traineeship Program and partners with a group training organisation to provide an employment pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Amy Kilby comes from a family of Aboriginal artists and has been a graphic designer for the past decade, specialising in the development of culturally engaging artwork, designs and content.

“Since I was little, I always wanted to paint but going through school and learning technology and computers inspired me to want to digitise traditional Aboriginal art and create my own digital Aboriginal art,” Ms Kilby said.

“I created Corroboree in April 2023 after receiving some good news in my personal life and translated those feelings and thoughts into art to signify celebration and sense of community.

“People may be coming to the Service Centre at a time when they are stressed or worried about having to fill out a form or get something resolved, but I hope my artwork will brighten the space, bring people joy with the vibrant colours as well as be a conversation starter about Aboriginal culture.

“This initiatiave from Service NSW is encouraging as it is important to acknowledge and embrace Aboriginal land and our people.”

• Topics:

• Arts and Media
• First Nations Peoples