Artwork
Journey, Commitment & Respect
In 2016 Diabetes Victoria commissioned Emma Bamblett to create an artwork that reflects our respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and our commitment to support, empower and campaign for all Victorians affected by diabetes.
The artwork is displayed at our office and helps to create a culturally safe and welcoming environment, which is sensitive to the cultural needs of our Aboriginal workforce and community. We also use the artwork as a visual identifier for our programs and resources for the Aboriginal community.
Artwork description
Journey, Commitment & Respect
Acrylic on canvas 200 x 150cm
The painting represents safety, connection and respect to Aboriginal people. It acknowledges Aboriginal people and their journey living with or supporting family members with diabetes.
The green footprints throughout the painting represent journey, travelling, gaining knowledge and tells a story of many individuals’ experiences living with diabetes.
The area in the top right corner represents journey and travel. The circles with the lines represent reaching out, making connections and relationships.
The middle top area represents respect for Aboriginal culture. The symbols represent ongoing learning, building knowledge and making connections. It is about acknowledgement and building positive relationships.
The middle right area represents respect for land, family and community. The circles with the lines connecting represent ongoing respect and recognising that each area and peoples are different and building the respect and local knowledge to better deliver.
The bottom right hand corner area represents excellence. The circle with the dots and curved lines represents ongoing evaluation, gaining feedback, working harder and a commitment to providing quality services to the local communities.
The left top area of the painting represents advocacy and speaking up. The people within the sections represent workers, family members, people living with diabetes speaking up, having a day and having a yarn. The white dots that are coming from the arms of the figures represent ongoing unity.
The middle left side area represents respect. The symbols are a sign of respect for each other, respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander as the first people of the land.
The middle bottom area represents integrity. The clap sticks carry a message of both honesty and honour and these are passed through to all work aspects of Diabetes Victoria. The pink shields represent strength in passing on the meaning of integrity.
The bottom left area of the painting represents innovation. The small round circles connection to each other are a symbol of the term ‘ongoing’ and ‘new ideas’. It is a continuous process and always building on new knowledge and research.
About the artist – Emma Bamblett
Emma Bamblett is a Wemba Wemba woman. She lives in Merinda with her 5 children and has been living around Melbourne for the past 15 years. Emma is originally from Echuca on the Murray River and her love of painting came from visiting her Aunty Barb and watching her paint in Robinvale. Emma’s painting style is contemporary and she finds meaning and purpose painting families’ journeys through her artwork. She paints in layers and sections, and likes to make connections between the different parts of the canvas.