Artwork: Strong Culture, Strong Minds, Strong Futures
At the heart of this artwork is a story of social and emotional wellbeing, connection, and collective healing. The central gathering place represents people, culture, and Country coming together, recognising that wellbeing is strengthened through family, kinship, and community. Its organic forms speak to growth and renewal, acknowledging culture as a source of strength and hope.
Pathways flow through the artwork, representing journeys of healing and recovery. No pathway is the same; they intersect and reconnect to reflect different lived and living experiences and system reform as a journey walked together.
Diverse Countries and gathering places are represented, reflecting the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland. Waterways and lines of connection speak to relationships between people, place, and culture, while gathering circles represent communities, services, and places of knowledge. Collectively, these elements show cultural safety and reconciliation being built through trust and respectful partnerships.
When every element comes together, we see a continuing journey without a defined beginning or end. Together, we carry forward a story of strong culture, strong minds, and strong futures.
Artist: David Williams
David is a proud Wakka Wakka man and the Executive Director and founder of Gilimbaa. He is driven by a deep passion for harnessing the transformative power of creativity to amplify, celebrate, and educate wider Australia about Aboriginal culture.
Under his visionary leadership, Gilimbaa has become a trailblazing company, weaving First Nations stories into Australia’s national fabric, while using a diverse range of artistic mediums and communication to foster connection and understanding across communities.
As a practicing artist, designer, and musician for over 20 years, David aims to shine a light on First Nations culture at home and overseas, leaving an indelible mark on public art, design, and cultural projects. He also contributes to Queensland’s cultural landscape through his positions as Chairperson of the Indigenous Advisory Panel and Board of Trustees Member at Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art.
Why this artwork matters
First Nations social and emotional wellbeing is central to our purpose. We recognise First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land and their ongoing connection to Country, culture and community. We want First Nations Peoples to see themselves reflected in our organisation, our communications and our commitment to reform.
This artwork reflects the strength of culture, healing, connection and hope. It represents reform as a journey walked together on Country, shaped by lived-living expertise. It reinforces our commitment to culturally safe practice, respectful partnerships and the inclusion of First Nations perspectives in all that we do.
Elements of Strong Culture, Strong Minds, Strong Futures have been used throughout our website, providing a visual expression of our commitment to cultural safety, connection, and meaningful reform for all Queenslanders.