WAC467/24 – Peter Thomas

– 80 x 80 cm

In the sacred embrace of Gija Country lies a legacy etched in stone, where ancient echoes whisper through the windswept valleys, lie hidden caves that hold the essence of our ancestors. These sacred spaces served not only as shelter during tumultuous times but as vibrant canvases for the stories of our people. With no written language, our ancestors communicated their knowledge, history, and spirituality through art—each stroke a testament to their existence.

As a young boy, guided by the wisdom of our elders, I embarked on a journey into the bush. It was during one of these cherished excursions that I stumbled upon a concealed cave, nestled in the serene embrace of Chamberlin Gardens, behind Violet Valley in Mabel Downs. What I discovered inside was a world alive with the spirit of our people: a man skilfully hunting kangaroo and bush Turkey, the Serpent- a powerful creator figure, embodying the Dreamtime & the pulse of life, the hairy man, or ‘Big Foot’; a guardian of the wilderness, and the Juwari (the ‘devil’ spirit), representing the force of nature that creates movement & change. Surrounding all this were the handprints of our ancestors, etched in the stone to declare, “We were here.”

This encounter remains etched in my memory, vivid and timeless, a moment frozen in the flow of time. My artwork serves as a tribute to that sacred discovery, a visual narrative that honours both the hidden treasures of our land and the continuity of our culture. Until recently, I kept this secret close to my heart, a cherished piece of my journey, a special place that connected me to my lineage.

Through this artwork, I invite you to step into the world of my ancestors, to feel the presence of those who walked before us, and to recognize the strength of our connection to the land. Each brushstroke is infused with love, respect, and a deep reverence for our shared heritage. This is not just a story of the past; it is a living testament to our identity, a reminder that we continue to walk the paths of our forebears, preserving their legacy in every heartbeat.