About the artist and artwork
Darleen Cooper (Global Indigenous Studies, 2020)
Darleen Cooper is a proud Dunghutti woman, born in Sydney and lived in and around Redfern before leaving to spend the rest of her childhood in Busby located in Western Sydney. After completing her Bachelor of Education and Fine Arts she taught on the Central Coast before moving to Yarrabah, a remote Aboriginal community, where she taught for 4 years. This move was where she flourished not only as a teacher but as an artist as well.
Darleen is a 2020 postgraduate of University of Newcastle Global Indigenous Studies and has been painting for over 20 years. Her artwork celebrates her heritage through a vibrant palette and a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques.
Artwork story:
‘Stronger Together’ symbolises Wollotuka Wellbeing, which combines traditional ancient wisdom with knowledge and strategies, through learning and beyond.
Blues and greens are used to create a calming visual experience. Each circle and dot represents an individual, family or community working together, to help each other to ALLOW, CONNECT and GROW. Indigenous people refer to this as ‘Kinship’. Kinship establishes the relation and the responsibilities towards others. It’s at the heart of Indigenous communities of working with their kin. This is important to Indigenous communities and beyond. Animals are also important to the different clans. Totems link Indigenous people and the universe to land air, water and other flora or fauna. Totems are too protected and passed onto the next generation. Water has been recognised and sacred and must always be protected.
The deep blue across the centre, represents a river and the ever-flowing journey of life. The canoe-shapes symbolise the gathering, and holding of the skills, knowledge, tools and differing experiences on our journeys. The people at the centre represents both individuals and belonging. The animal totems demonstrates while we may appear different, we are all resilient, strong and have our own unique strengths. The footsteps are the pathway that connects it all and the yarning circles, represent the harmonious and collaborative way that listening allows a community of support.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.