Guided Protection: our Indigenous artwork

Guided Protection

by Casey Coolwell

When we rebranded from the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland to the Queensland Human Rights Commission in July 2019, a new piece of Indigenous artwork was commissioned from artist Casey Coolwell, to reflect the new work of the QHRC.

Casey is a Quandamooka, Nunukul woman from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) with links to Eulo and the Biri people of Bowen. Here is her 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 are a combination of three different protection shields that are for our families, health and education. The shapes of the shields represent our right to practice 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.

You can see more of Casey's work on her website.