Decorative cardboard box with vibrant, abstract Indigenous-inspired patterns, featuring circular designs and organic shapes.

TASTE OF

AUSTRALIA

WELCOME GIFTS

A CELEBRATION OF INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA

Abstract art featuring concentric circles, wavy lines, and leaf shapes in vibrant colors including red, blue, green, and orange. The style resembles Indigenous Australian dot painting.

GALNYA WOKA

Yorta Yorta Language

“Beautiful Country"

CULTURAL STORY

Galnya Woka meaning ‘Beautiful Country’ is a celebration of bush tucker and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples connection to Country, community and culture. Central to the artwork is the flowing river representing the importance of water to life and growth. The large yarning circle surrounded by U shapes depicts gathering and coming together to yarn and share stories whilst enjoying native bush tucker.

Journey lines extend from the river and link with circular meeting places emphasising travelling and acknowledging indigenous bush tucker located across the traditional lands. Along the orange and red pathways, people and kangaroo tracks depict how we harmoniously co-exist on Country.

The dotted background represents the diverse and changing landscape. The eucalyptus leaf, a symbol of welcome, healing and cleansing is combined with wattle seed pods and blooms as a powerful symbol of connection to land and spirituality. Protecting Country ensures the longevity of culture, community and native food sources.

MEET THE ARTISTS

Two people outside, wearing black t-shirts with an Aboriginal Australian flag design. One person is sitting, and the other is standing, with greenery in the background.

Bayadherra is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated creative studio founded by proud Aboriginal Yorta Yorta brother and sister Luke and Siena Tieri. As descendants of the James Family, Luke and Siena's cultural origins are embedded in Yorta Yorta Country, Shepparton Victoria. Their grandfather Glenn James OAM is a respected Elder within community and is recognised as the first Indigenous man to umpire Australian rules football in the AFL.

As emerging artists, Luke and Siena's purpose is to advance reconciliation and promote cultural awareness, education and understanding by reflecting their traditional storylines and Indigenous heritage in contemporary and culturally bespoke art and design. 'Bayadherra' in Yorta Yorta language means 'turtle', the spiritual animal totem of the Yorta Yorta clan: a name reflective of Luke and Siena's Aboriginal identity and connection to community and Country.