Craving to Cleanse

Craving to Cleanse
2026
Acrylic on Canvas
60.9 x 91 cm

This piece conveys the importance of following cultural practices, lore and respecting
the custodians of the land’s traditions. When I’m invited onto another person’s land/
country,
I will go through a smoking ceremony or be thankful to experience each mob’s unique
welcome to country. Having permission to work, travel and live on Indigenous
peoples’ country must be done correctly. If I’m not invited or don’t seek permission, I
feel I’m disturbing the local mob, spirits and ancestors. You can’t do business without
respecting each individual mob.
There has been a rise in direct disrespect towards the Welcome to Country. I believe
this stems from ignorance and a lack of understanding. You aren’t being welcomed to
white Australia; you’re being welcomed to be where people have lived, protected and
cared for the land for thousands of years before it even became “Australia”.