2025 NAIDOC Brenton Bowen - Polo

Please note:
All products are made to order and will be delivered to AKL within 10–15 business days, after which they will be dispatched to you via Australia Post.

Artist Statement:

Passing the Fire: A Legacy of Strength and Vision

In the heart of our people’s journey, knowledge flows like a river, passed from the hands of Elders to the next generation. This is not just knowledge—it is strength, vision, and legacy woven through time.

At the center of the artwork, an Elder’s hand extends forward, passing a baton to the younger hand. This is more than a symbol; it is a sacred responsibility. Within this baton lies the wisdom of thousands of ancestors—their songs, stories, languages, and ways of caring for Country. It holds the resilience that has carried us through hardship, the fire of survival, and the vision for a future where culture thrives.

Surrounding this exchange, the circles tell our ongoing story. Each ring holds the essence of our way of life—tools crafted with care, dance and ceremony honoring the land, and traditions that connect us to those who walked before us. These circles are not just echoes of the past; they are a roadmap for the future, guiding the next generation to stand strong in their identity.

The boomerang, clapsticks, and didgeridoo continue to carry the heartbeat of Aboriginal culture, used in traditional dance and music, just as they have been for thousands of years. Likewise, the Torres Strait Kulap and drums remain an essential part of ceremonial performances, connecting Torres Strait Islander people to their ancestors and stories through movement and rhythm. These cultural practices are not relics of the past—they are living traditions, thriving in the hands of today’s dancers, musicians, and knowledge holders.

Scattered beside the larger hands and feet are smaller hands and feet, representing how the younger generation learns by watching, listening, and feeling. In both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge is not only spoken—it is absorbed through dance, music, and movement. The little feet follow in the footsteps of the old, and the little hands echo the rhythms of those before them, ensuring that the traditions of dance and music are passed down not just in words, but in motion and spirit.

The younger hand grasps the baton firmly, ready to carry it forward. This generation will honor the old ways while shaping new paths. They will teach, lead, and inspire, ensuring that the next cycle of life remains unbroken.