"Creating art has allowed me to connect with my culture on a deeper level that I have experienced. I have been raised extremely connected within my community however through continuing a tradition through storytelling and art it has allowed me to continuously reflect and extend my knowledge and experiences as an Aboriginal woman.".
- Merindah-Gunya -
ARTWORK STORY
Future Dreaming
Future Dreaming tells a story reflecting the 2025 NAIDOC theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. It is a celebration of our youth, the strength we carry, the vision we hold, and the deep legacy that flows through us.
On the left side, young people are shown together - united, strong, and connected. They are the heart of the present, bound by culture, knowledge, and community. Their connectedness represents the resilience of our people and the way our young ones uplift and support each other. They carry the stories of Elders, standing proud as the next keepers of Country and culture.
Journey lines weave through the centre, symbolising the ongoing path of learning, growth, and responsibility. These lines connect current youth to future generations, ensuring that knowledge, traditions, and wisdom are carried forward.
Flowing through the composition is water - a symbol of the past, of cleansing, renewal, and connection to Country. It carries the voices of Ancestors, their teachings rippling into the future, reminding us that everything we do today shapes tomorrow.
Future Dreaming is a vision of strength, a reminder that our young people are not just our future - they are our now. They walk in the footsteps of giants, carrying the spirit of those who paved the way, forging their own paths while ensuring the survival and flourishing of culture for generations to come.
ABout the artist
Merindah-Gunya
A descendant of the Kirrae and Peek Whurrong clan of the Marr Nation.
Bayley was born and raised in Warrnambool, Victoria, where she started painting from a young age and learnt from her Elders about traditional storytelling through painting. Now she currently lives on Bunurong country in Melbourne, Victoria.
@merindahgunya
