Bowangkaliko Malang - Rise Together

Scope of Work - The design and creation of a culturally appropriate, respectful and evocative Aboriginal Artwork reflecting the vision,values and spirit of Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the organisations footprint across NSW. 

The artwork will emphasise the new client - centred focus of the organisation and its focus on creating opportunities through housing, including education and employment.

Including a canvas of patterns and symbols in the themes of housing and community, the uniquely designed artwork, will offer a wide range of graphic applications including communication, marketing and related collateral.

Artwork Story:

This vibrant artwork highlights the story of the Aboriginal Housing Office NSW and their pioneering transition, to better meet the needs of Aboriginal people in NSW. 

Celebrating Aboriginal people and culture, the piece is reflective of the innovation, collaboration and commitment to a client centre focus that embraces community involvement and respects cultural diversity.  The works visual storyline captures the passion and vision to create sustainable housing opportunities that redress history and reflect the desire to make a difference.

People symbols used within the main storyline of the work show the connection to people through all aspects of AHO’s vision forward.  It’s about people, community, AHO staff, clients and partners working together to create inspirational housing solutions.

Central to the artwork storyline, traditional people symbols connect in the shape of a home symbolic of AHOs delivery of affordable housing choices.  It depicts our home as a safe place where Aboriginal people have access to culturally sensitive housing options that embrace key elements of culture including extended family, kinship and recognition of the significant role of Aboriginal women within the family.

Circling this we see linked people symbols which are highly significant to the meaning of the central design image.  These represent community involvement, partners and stakeholders upon the journey with AHO and the delivery of better outcomes to Aboriginal people through partnerships and shared vision.  Facing outward they are symbolic of AHO’s outward client centred focus, community involvement and the strong connection with community across country. The home colour across design variations is directly links to the colour at the centres of the AHO regions, signifying connection, relationship and a heart centred on community.

Flowing upward to the left of the central image we see further people symbols. 

These interlinked symbols are highly significant within the storyline and rise upward to reflect the rise in opportunities for Aboriginal people through AHOs innovative service delivery.  There meaning includes:

• Celebrate success of Aboriginal people and culture;

• The rising pathway taken over AHO history through to the innovative transition and innovative housing options being delivered today and move toward redressing history;

• Opportunities provided for Aboriginal people in pioneering housing that is responsive to social change, diverse circumstances, cultural needs and progression to home ownership and;

• The provision of innovative training and employment opportunities and pathways with AHO seen as an employer of choice and staff ownership of the vision to empower and improve housing for Aboriginal people.

Flowing to the left of the central image, meeting circles rise and expand over country, symbolic of pathways forward and programs that build opportunity for growth and capacity.  These along with larger meeting circles reflect AHOs work within country across their Regional footprint of Western, Northern & Sydney South and Eastern Regions.  These circles along with those at the centre of community meeting circles also depict the women’s Coolamon and acknowledging the significant role of women within the home.

Interwoven within the very fibre of the work, the backdrop of songlines reflective of country, mountains, valleys and waterways, through design and colour, portray songlines of history and pathways upon the AHO journey.  Embracing and connecting NSW tribal clan groups, community and AHO in the journey, the songlines move forward and rise upward toward the vision for equal access and choice of affordable housing for Aboriginal people in NSW.

Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas and Graphic Design
Year: 2017

Original artwork concept and creation by Saretta Fielding
Graphic Interpretation by Carissa Paglino

At the 2018 Yabun Festival we discovered how the AHO incorporated their design throughout their marketing material. Here is what I discovered.