The heart is changing

LOCAL indigenous artist, Safina Stewart, has a warm heart and beautiful soul.

Her heritage comes from Mabuiag Island in the Torres Strait and Wuthanthi Country in Far North Queensland, her non-Indigenous heritage from Scotland.

And whilst Safina’s journey today is as the voice, Safina is one of many artists exhibiting at Wonthaggi’s ArtSpace and many thousands around Australia.

“Artistic expression, it's always been a part of my family,” Safina smiled.

“I felt like I was immersed in opportunity as a child – just a normal reality, we would tell stories, and then express them visually or dramatically in order to pass them on, in order to share the story beyond ourselves to an audience.

“I was incubated in this space.”

Professionally Safina stepped into the role of artist at 27 years of age, when she started her own businesses and combined her teacher education with the arts.

From kinder to university and in between, one of Safina’s latest journeys has been engaging with teachers and students at Wonthaggi Primary School, alongside other Aboriginal community members.

“It's been terrific because both the children and the staff are not only keenly interested, but they give such respectful listening.

“Their learning has been rapid – of Aboriginal history, Aboriginal language and the context of Aboriginal community.

“It's because of deep relationships, and authenticity.

“I see this connection because they're applying it to real life. It's not just an academic fact that gets lost.

“I love working with kids. I find it exciting and rejuvenating, hopeful as well.”

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

“There's something about showing up to everything. 

“As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, if you're going to stand up, you have to be willing to show up and be reliable, and dependable.

“The thing is the rewards are incredible – I've made so many beautiful friendships with really big-hearted people who are not wanting transaction, they're actually wanting to join in the change making and to make this community a better place, more inclusive, more culturally aware, more deep, more just, more fair, more opportunity driven – they're actually seeking the same life giving forces – for me, that's incredible.”

On a more personal level, Safina’s best artwork is her three children, and not in a trivial way.

“You can create a beautiful painting and it can tell the story, but the living artworks are the most beautiful, and I've seen them really shine.”

Safina’s children, Samu, Letty-Brooke and Arieta stand alongside other children in the exhibition showcasing their talents and sharing their stories.

“What we're creating is a space and a community, a community space, where Aboriginal children can shine – that is powerful creativity in the making.”

Safina’s works can be found in both public and private collections across Bass Coast (and nationally and internationally). 

“I can't have a favourite piece, because every single one of them is precious.

“Collectively, I'm proud of the beauty that I've dared to make vulnerable and put out there to the public – it's very scary doing that.

“What I have noticed over all these years is that people really need it.

“People need the art; people need the stories and people need connection to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples so that they can have authentic connection to Place.

“I've received (amazing feedback) from hanging in the Shire offices. There's been a deep point of conversation as people have passed it in the foyer.”

Thirteen-year-old Arieta’s artwork hangs in the hospital.

“One of the things that we're aiming for is to be able to bring conversations to make visible Aboriginal communities, beauty, dignity and depth, and it's also to try and engage in conversation with people.

“The thing about art is that you don't even have to be in the room for people to start thinking and talking about it.”

Inspiration comes from all of creation and country finding Place amongst the ocean and family.

Stepping inside Safina’s creative method is magical – a process of yoga, prayer and creating a workable space, alongside inspiring music.

“First thing I need is to make the space right for that particular artwork and to do that I actually pray. 

“The other thing is I usually need to do yoga in order to loosen the body; you get better line work, better colour systems.”

The heart is changing.

“Factor knowledge is amazing and wonderful but does not change people's behaviour.

“When we have a heart change, it is so powerful for changing behaviour, and behaviour with a deep conviction from the heart is what will change words, actions, racism, structural obstacles and legislation that is just inhumane.

“We're inviting (the child, the teacher, the individual) into a relationship in connection which involves the heart.

“It is a deeply spiritual journey, because to take an invitation is to apply faith and to step out of your comfort zone to head in a different direction.

“What inspires me as a person is actually the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian leaders of the past, who have stood up and lived a life of love and hope, against so much obstacle, so much complex, and has paved the way for us to continue the journey and offer more freedom and beauty to everyone.

“We are so proud to be a part of our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.”

As Martin Luther King quoted Marianne Williamson on the collective, ‘and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.’

Be inspired by our local and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists at ArtSpace, you may even find a piece that speaks to your heart that you simply cannot part with.