Guided Protection, by Casey Coolwell
About the artwork
When we changed our name from the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland to the Queensland Human Rights Commission in July 2019, we asked artist Casey Coolwell to create a new piece of Indigenous artwork to reflect our role and direction.
About the artist
Casey is a Quandamooka, Nunukul woman from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), with links to Eulo and the Biri people of Bowen.
The story behind the artwork
Here is Casey’s explanation of Guided Protection.
Our rights, people, health, education and culture all need to be protected. This artwork represents the protection provided by cultural objects, knowledge, community and Ancestors.
The centre piece resembles two hands forming a joint protection gesture, with the circle being a representation of a yarning circle with community members gathered on the outside.
The artwork within the hands is a combination of three different protection shields that are for our families, health and education. The shapes of the shields represent our right to practise our culture.
The gathered dots represent our Ancestors guiding and protecting us through rough times.
The background overlapping colours depict the colours of our lands and waters.