Are you ready to experience the power of Aboriginal art? Get ready to be captivated by the vibrant colors and meaningful designs of the Gari Yala Collection. This new collection is more than just a range of products – it's a celebration of culture, storytelling, and the importance of speaking our truth.
The Gari Yala Collection is a stunning new range of products that showcases the beauty and significance of Aboriginal art. Each piece in the collection features colorful green and blue artwork, representing places of meeting and speaking our truth. From clothing and accessories to home decor and stationery, there's something for everyone in this extraordinary collection.
The name "Gari Yala" holds a deep meaning. In the Aboriginal language, it translates to "Speak the Truth." This collection is a powerful reminder of the importance of sharing our stories, expressing our thoughts, and embracing our authentic selves. Through the artwork and designs, the Gari Yala Collection encourages us to find our voice and speak our truth.
What sets the Gari Yala Collection apart is its connection to Aboriginal culture and art. Each design is created by talented Aboriginal artist Lani Balzan who drew inspiration from her heritage, stories, and connection to the land. The collection not only showcases her incredible talent but also supports and promotes the preservation of Aboriginal art and culture.
When you purchase a product from the Gari Yala Collection, you're not just buying a beautiful item – you're supporting Aboriginal artists and their communities. Your purchase contributes to the continuation of traditional art practices and helps create economic opportunities for Aboriginal artists.
The Gari Yala Collection offers a wide range of products that can add a touch of Aboriginal art and culture to your everyday life. From clothing and accessories that allow you to wear your values proudly, to home decor items that bring a unique and vibrant energy to your living space, there are endless possibilities to incorporate this collection into your life.
Imagine starting your day with a cup of coffee in a mug adorned with stunning Aboriginal artwork, or wearing a t-shirt that not only looks great but also carries a powerful message. The Gari Yala Collection allows you to infuse your life with the beauty and significance of Aboriginal art, reminding you to speak your truth every day.
The Gari Yala Collection is more than just a collection of products – it's a movement. It's a celebration of Aboriginal art, culture, and the power of speaking our truth. By embracing this collection, you're not only adding beauty to your life but also supporting and honoring Aboriginal artists and their stories.
So, are you ready to speak your truth and experience the power of the Gari Yala Collection? Explore the range of products today and let the vibrant colors and meaningful designs inspire and empower you.
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This was an exciting journey to be apart of working with the team at ForHealth creating a digital design and then creating their RAP document.
“Unity in Health: A Journey to Reconciliation”
In this Aboriginal Contemporary Artwork Story,I portray ForHealth’s dedication to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare for all Australians, with a specific focus on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The artwork features a central circular motif representing ForHealth’s 80+ multidisciplinary centres, symbolising their interconnectedness and commitment to community care. The circle is adorned with vibrant and meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patterns and symbols, signifying the cultural significance of healthcare in these communities.
At the heart of the artwork stands embracing people representing healthcare professionals, illustrating the compassionate and inclusive nature of ForHealth’s services. The people reach out to smaller circles surrounding it, symbolising the
various services provided by ForHealth, such as Medical Centres, Dental Facilities, and Allied Health Facilities.
Within the smaller circles, we see distinctive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander symbols, like dot paintings and boomerangs, indicating the organisation’s dedication to supporting the health and well-being of these communities.
Beneath the central motif, a river flows, symbolising the ongoing journey towards reconciliation. Footprints along the riverbanks depict the steps taken by ForHealth to build meaningful connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Above the river, a rising sun represents a brighter future for all Australians, where equal access to healthcare and opportunities is a reality. The sun’s rays extend outward, symbolising the positive impact of ForHealth’s Reflect RAP on communities nationwide.
On the sides of the artwork, handprints in various colours signify unity, collaboration, and collective efforts towards achieving reconciliation. These handprints represent the involvement of diverse individuals and communities in the journey to a better future.
In summary, this Aboriginal Contemporary Artwork Story visually portrays ForHealth’s commitment to unity, reconciliation, and inclusive healthcare. It highlights the organisation’s efforts to engage with and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, fostering understanding and promoting equal health opportunities for all Australians.
The colours used within the artwork are taken from the organisation’s brand colour palette.
More Info here: https://www.forhealth.com.au/
]]>Visit the online store now and start seeing the products that will be available for purchase.
Flowers and Butterflies Collection
Three Rivers Collection
Aboriginal Art by Lani
]]>Thank you for visiting my website.
I will be taking a break from the 22nd December 2023 until the 15th January 2024.
Feel free to contact me via the online contact form and I will get back to you when I return.
Hope you all have a lovely break and speak to you in the new year.
]]>This was an exciting journey to be apart of working with the team at Wildlife Health Australia creating a digital design and then creating their RAP document.
In this Aboriginal Contemporary Artwork, the story of “One Health: The Circle of Life” unfolds to represent the vital connection between all living beings in Australia’s natural environment. The central motif is a mesmerising circle, symbolising the unity and harmony that exists among wildlife, people, and the land. Within this circle, intricate patterns and vibrant colours intertwine, representing Wildlife Health Australia as a whole.
The Story:
At the heart of the artwork, the majestic wildlife of Australia takes centre stage, showcased in their unique beauty and magnificence. The artist captures the essence of these animals – from the striking kangaroo to the elusive koala, from the graceful emu to birds – each one representing the rich biodiversity found in Australia.
Radiating from the wildlife are lines and pathways that extend outward, symbolising the interconnectedness between wildlife, people, and the environment. These lines merge with symbols representing land use, climate change, and societal practices, signifying the challenges that threaten the delicate balance of nature.
The artwork features people standing alongside the wildlife, demonstrating the harmonious coexistence between Indigenous Australians and nature. These figures symbolise the profound knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations, emphasising the ancient connection between Aboriginal people and the land they have cared for thousands of years.
The core values of Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) are woven into the artwork as vibrant threads:
The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) journey of WHA finds its place in the artwork through a path of footprints. These footprints represent the steps taken towards respectful and meaningful relationships with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The RAP Reflect is represented throughout the artwork, guiding WHA towards building lasting and authentic partnerships.
In 2023, WHA’s new focus on two-way trusted partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island organisations is symbolised through different elements. This represents the sharing of knowledge, science, and lore between WHA and the Indigenous communities for the preservation of Australia’s iconic wildlife.
Overall, “One Health: The Circle of Life” celebrates the intricate web of life in Australia, where all beings and elements are intertwined and interdependent. It serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibility we all share to protect and sustain the health and harmony of the land, its wildlife, and its people. The artwork beckons viewers to embrace the principles of One Health and cherish the precious gift of Australia’s biodiversity, ensuring that it thrives for generations to come.
More Info here: https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au
]]>This was an exciting journey to be apart of working with the team at QLeave creating a canvas artwork, turning it into a digital design and then creating their RAP document.
Created for QLeave’s Innovate RAP, “Unity in Connection: Embracing Reconciliation” by Lani Balzan embodies the significant role QLeave plays in fostering reconciliation and our dedicated efforts towards fostering stronger unity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. At its core, the artwork portrays QLeave, our clients, and our team as integral parts of the interconnected community we operate within.
The gathering symbol portrayed in the artwork serves as a powerful representation of a place that warmly welcomes and embraces all individuals, while also embracing the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This depiction stands as a powerful symbol of inclusivity and meaningful connections.
In the right-hand corner, the sun takes its place, accentuating the Queensland Sunset as it casts its radiant rays upon the adjacent land. This signifies the warmth and hope that QLeave brings to its vision.
Adorning both sides of the artwork, pathways with footprints symbolise the individual journeys taken towards mental health and wellbeing. These paths represent the diverse and unique experiences of each person in their pursuit of wellness.
On the left side, wave patterns with dots are depicted, symbolising our deep-rooted connection to Sea Country along the east coast of Queensland. This connection serves as a reminder of the important relationship Indigenous peoples have with the sea and its significance in their culture.
Small orange pathways signify QLeave’s connections to communities residing on the land. In harmony, smaller gathering symbols in orange and blue represent the people living in these communities, highlighting their unity and shared values.
Flowing alongside the pathways are blue rivers, symbolising the inland waters that sustain life and provide support. These waters represent the source of positivity and transformation as they continue to flow and create positive change.
Throughout the rest of the painting, background dots gently remind us of the Queensland sunset, reinforcing its significance and beauty in this narrative. This artwork, rich with symbolism and meaning, stands as a testament to the importance of reconciliation and the enduring connection between people and their land.
More Info here: https://www.qleave.qld.gov.au/about-us/reconciliation-action-plan
]]>The design consisted of a Canvas artwork that I painted from an artwork brief provide by CSU. Artist briefs are essential in providing relevant information to use and turn into a visual piece.
The process to turn the artwork into a usable design for the RAP is complex but essential to have the highest quality digital version available for the document. The artwork is turned into a digital vector design using professional graphic design software to recreate the art by hand.
The design is then used when creating the RAP document again in professional design software. This process involves a completely different method of design and includes laying out page design with text, photo, tables and artwork forming the RAP document that then is approved by Reconciliation Australia.
]]>Tune in tonight on Channel 7 for My Kitchen Rules where contestants Matt and KT show off their cooking skills. Matt who is an Aboriginal man contacted me to use some artworks on the show.
Matt & KT
VIC – Best friends
Victorian best friends, Matt, 36, and KT, 33, met at a friend’s 18th birthday party and say they’re more like siblings. Matt grew up a proud Yamaji man from the Gascoyne region in Western Australia with a nose-to-tail food philosophy. Matt and KT are passionate about using Australian native ingredients and transporting their guests to the Australian Outback during their MKR instant restaurant. They dream of opening their own native cooking store, offering hard-to-find native ingredients and products.
What does cooking and food mean to you?
Matt: I would say that the main thing that KT and I have in common is our love for food.
KT: I love how food brings people together, creates memories and brings back old ones. Cooking food I would normally enjoy with my family and friends makes me feel closer to home, especially during lockdown when we couldn’t see each other.
How would you describe your personality?
Matt: I am a very direct, passionate person who loves to laugh. I don’t take life too seriously and I don’t have a mean bone in my body. I’m compassionate and always determined to be the best.
KT: I am loyal, genuine, independent and love to laugh.
How did you learn to cook?
Matt: I was self-taught. My mum worked three jobs simultaneously to provide for my sister and me, so she was rarely home. I learned to cook from my sister, aunties, uncles and grandma.
KT: I learned to cook by watching my mum. I didn’t start cooking myself until I moved out of home, but I definitely get my inspiration from my mum and she’s the first person I call for advice.
The logo features elements that symbolise the four Priority Reforms of the National Agreement, seventeen socio-economic targets, and the coming together of governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to work in partnership to close the gap.
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I would like to thank you all for your support this year and the years prior. I would like to welcome this year with a new change, a brand new logo representing our land and our beautiful oceans that surrounds it.
I also have some exciting news to announce in 2022 that I have been working on this year so I can not wait to share this with you all.
There has been some changes to my website to showcase more of the works I have done and the implementation of graphic design and document design into my creations.
Be sure to check it all out and leave your comments in the post.
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I hope you enjoy the new site and all of my artwork I can share with you, I take a lot of pride in sharing my culture with you all.
Lani Balzan
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