Caitlyn Davies-Plummer

Two Worlds

"Two Worlds" symbolises Caitlyn's ties to both Adelaide and Broken Hill and how her connection stays strong even when she isn't on Country. The two main campsites represent the two worlds and Caitlyn's family gathered around both. The river system connecting both places, symbolises her strong connection to the Barkaa (River.) The mountains represent the beautiful Mutawintji, an area of special significance to the Barkindji people. There is also a dual meaning of symbolising overcoming adversity. They serve as a reminder of your strength and resilience in hard times. The other campsites in the centre of the painting represent journey points and important events that have made Caitlyn who she is. The people in this area that are floating, represent the people that have come in and out of Caitlyn's life. Although they may not be central in her life currently, they have had an impact on who she is today.

River Camps

This painting centres around two rivers and how important the Barkaa is to the Barkindji people. The painting has symbols of campsites, people sitting along the river, desert shrubs, kangaroo footprints and stars.

Meeting at the River

This painting came about after Caitlyn visited Menindee with her parents. When she came home she was really missing country and wanted a painting to represent the special lunch she had with her parents by the Barkaa (river.) Every time she looks at this painting, she is transported back to this day and time on Country. The mountains have a dual meaning of representing the hills of Mutawintji and to represent strength and resilience. Other symbols used include desert shrubs, cracked earth, people sitting along the river and campsites. Caitlyn would also like to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional owners of the land this piece was created on.

Gathering on Country

Each piece in the series focuses on family groups gathering together at a campsite on Country. Part Two has a mountain that represents that hills of Mutawintji. A special/sacred place for Caitlyn and her family. The mountain has a dual meaning of strength and overcoming adversity. It serves as a reminder that you can overcome anything that is put in front of you. There is also a river that flows from the mountain that represents the Barkaa ( Darling River.) The Barkindji people have a deep spiritual connection to the Darling river and all it provides to us and the Country. The paint strokes coming from the campsite and people, are the energy exchange between us and Country. It represents mutual respect and love. This painting takes Caitlyn back to Country, and she hopes it will bring a sense of calmness to your home.

Back to Country

This painting represents the beauty of Mutawintji and was painted after Caitlyn arrived home from a trip back on Country. She walked through Mutawintji and was in awe of its beauty. This painting is a reminder of how at peace Caitlyn is when she is back on Country. The mountains down both sides of the painting represent the cliffs/hills in Mutawintji and allow Caitlyn to visualise herself back on Country. Caitlyn would also like to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional owners of the land this piece was created on.

The Path They Have Laid

(NAIDOC 2023)

This art piece is a dedication to our Elders in honour of the 2023 NAIDOC Week theme, "For Our Elders".
The main pathway in this painting is a symbol of the path that our Elders and generations before us have laid. Our Elders have paved the way for us and are constantly sharing their cultural knowledge. The mountains symbolise the struggles and hardships our Elders have been through and how they have consistently shown their strength through their triumph. The campsite at the bottom of the painting represents the past and the top left campsite is our Elders today. The circle around them represents a circle of safety, symbolising to us to always look after, respect and listen to our Elders.

We would not be where we are today without our Elders. This painting is dedicated to all of the special Elders in my life who have guided me, taught me and shown me the strength culture has to pull me through even when times are hard.

A Kokoda Journey

This painting tells the story of my 2017 Kokoda trail journey. I was fortunate enough to be a worker at one of the chosen schools to attend the Kokoda trail on a special Reconciliation Trek (in collaboration with Reconciliation SA). Myself, two students and a Deputy Principal represented our school and were allocated an Aboriginal soldier to research for the trek.

We began physical training 1 year out from the trek commencing and researched our soldier, Harold West in as much detail as we could find. The journey I took on this trek, was both physical, mental and spiritual. I felt so honoured to be able to tell Harold’s story and to have a memorial at the point on the track he lost his life.

Each campsite on this painting, represents a village or resting place we stopped at along the track.

The Kokoda trail was transformative for my own personal growth. I feel so proud of the fact I was able to complete the trek, but also that I was able to bring awareness to the bravery and story of Harold West, who was killed on the track. I saw so many similarities between our culture and the Papua New Guinea culture.

I would like to dedicate this painting to the bravery of Harold West.

A Chapter Closing

This painting was created when Caitlyn had finally finished her thesis and was able to hand it in. The feeling of relief and joy on that day is represented within this painting. Each mountain on this painting represents a placement, with the people representing Caitlyn's supervisors and fellow staff members she was able to learn from. This painting captures a moment in time in which she finally felt as though she was on the right path.

Invisible String

“Invisible String” is an original painting created to represent the love story with my husband Dale.

The bottom of the painting shows two seperate campsites representing both where Dale and I grew up.

As your eye’s rise up the painting, you can see two rivers coming in to the centre point of the painting. These rivers represent the strong connection both Dale and I have to the different rivers we grew up around.

The clapping sticks represent the traditional wedding present we were given by one of my Uncles on our wedding day.

The camp site at the top of the painting represents the wedding and life together we’ve built since marriage. We’ve faced many ups and downs together, with our journey lines coming together, whilst acknowledging our pasts.

Legacy

This piece celebrates the legacy of knowledge and culture being shared across generations. Represented across this painting are the Elders who have so generously shared their knowledge and time with me. Their guidance led me to work at a high school, which enabled me to pass on that knowledge and build strong relationships. The students I worked with are also represented and are now adults. They all currently work in schools/youth work sector with mob and continue to share culture, knowledge and strength with the next generation of young mob growing up. I don’t have words to describe how proud of them I am.