2024 NAIDOC Week: Celebrating ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’ with Djukun Artist Samantha Wyborn
Image credit: Samantha Wyborn, Separation to conform.
During NAIDOC Week, a time dedicated to celebrating the rich culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, I had the opportunity to interview Samantha Wyborn, an inspiring Aboriginal artist. This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, loud and proud,’ resonates deeply with Samantha, who balances her full-time role at Main Roads WA as an Aboriginal Stakeholder Engagement Advisor with her art business.
Samantha keeps busy by dedicating weekends and public holidays to her art. An intuitive artist, she prefers to be on country when she paints or sketches, allowing the environment to guide her creative process. She never maps or plans her pieces beforehand; instead, she simply grabs a brush and lets the inspiration flow. "Art is my therapy," she says, "it allows me to free my mind."
The theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, loud and proud’ holds significant meaning for Samantha. It reminds her of the struggles endured by her elders, who fought to pave the way for future generations. Despite progress, she acknowledges that there is still a long way to go. "We still carry the torch as a minority," she explains, "and speaking truths heal. Nothing ever comes good from sweeping things under the carpet."
Samantha draws inspiration from her late parents, who instilled strong morals and values in her, and from her supportive family, including her husband, children, sister, and nephew. She also finds inspiration in the stories passed down by her mother and the broader history of her people.
Among the First Nations artists she admires is her mother, Yallaroo Irene Wyborn (née Gregory) (dec), who bravely sold her art at the Broome markets from the late 1980s onward. Her mother faced racism but remained steadfast and never wavered in her commitment to storytelling through art.
Samantha shared a powerful image of herself with her face painted using red pindan from her country's earth and white paint, with a zipper glued on. Titled "Separation to Conform," this piece symbolizes the traumatic history of her people. The red earth represents their connection to the land, the white symbolizes colonization, and the zipper signifies being silenced. "We were one with Country, peaceful people in line with mother nature and our beliefs. We were then torn from that, babies were torn from mothers' arms, and men were killed. We had to be silent to conform to white society," Samantha explains. This artwork reflects the transgenerational trauma that continues to affect her people.
Samantha Wyborn's story and art embody the spirit of NAIDOC Week's theme, showcasing resilience, pride, and a commitment to keeping the cultural fire burning for future generations.
