Towamba artist Vicki McCredie says the philosophy that underpins her forthcoming exhibition is love.
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Over a 12-month period, Ms McCredie painted 20 portraits of Aboriginal people forming connections with people and place, from Wollongong in the north to Eden in the south and west into Delegate.
Her portrait collection, titled You’N Me Family of Portraits, showcases the connectedness and love of Yuin people on the South Coast.
“Everyone who took part was drawn to sit for the portrait because of love,” she said. “The generosity of heart of people in the exhibition is incredible.”
Ms McCredie’s portraits include many familiar local faces that she has captured in oils. Some of these familiar faces include Warren Foster, Uncle Ossie Stewart and Nathan Lygon.
Yuin/Monarooo man Nathan Lygon, spoke about the importance of represented the strength and resilience of Indigenous people on the south coast.
“To the people who see my portrait, I would like them to know and see the strength and resilience of Australian Indigenous people, that we still care for our mother and will fight with love and respect to protect her,” he said.
Ms McCredie was inspired to paint the portraits after a visit to Arnhem Land in 2016.
“The Family of Portraits came into being almost of its own accord. It began after I had visited the community of Gunbalanya,” she said.
“I asked a man by the name of Glen Namundga if I could take his photo. He threw his hand out at me and allowed me to take a photo. I came home and painted his portrait.”
On her trip to Arnhem Land, Ms McCredie was taken by the incredible dynamism, generosity and strength of the community of Gunbalanya.
“We hear a lot about Indigenous disadvantage, and there was some of that there, but there were also women on the bus, cradling their children talking in language,” she said.
Her time spent in the community and her meeting with Glen Namundga inspired her to bring together a family of portraits that would demonstrate the strength and dynamism of Indigenous people on the South Coast.
“That moment set the gathering of this family into motion.”
Speaking with her at her home in Towamba, Ms McCredie explained the etymology of the word ‘family’.
“Family comes from the word ‘familia’ which means to serve. Family is a group of people that serve one another.
The people you meet in this new family [of portraits] don’t all originate from this area, but live here now. They have stories to tell, visions to share,” Ms McCredie said.
The exhibit opens at 4pm at the Apmin Gallery in Central Tilba on March 24.
