“Every painting has a story”

Artist and proud Victorian Aboriginal woman Aimee McCartney on why she loves working with organisations like Orikan to spread connection through art.

This NAIDOC Week, Orikan was honoured to hear from artist and proud Victorian Aboriginal woman Aimee McCartney. Aimee is the founder of Luruk-In, an Australian contemporary Aboriginal art business. Her art has been featured everywhere from Jetstar aircraft menus to Buckingham Palace, and The Carrousel du Louvre.

And yet, speaking with Orikan employees, Aimee reveals that if someone had of told her as a little girl that one day her artwork would hang in galleries around the world, she would have laughed:

“It was never part of the plan. But life has a funny way of leading you exactly where you’re meant to be. Today, I’m here as an artist and a storyteller – every painting has a story,” she smiles.

Aimee’s art plays with texture, layering and an abundance of colour. It’s inspired by stories, people, and the vibrant, ever-changing beauty of Country.

“Country isn’t somewhere we visit. It’s something we belong to,” Aimee explains.

“And that’s one of the reasons I create art. Every painting I create begins with Country. Not because I’m painting landscapes but because I’m painting relationships between people, families, communities, and the places that shape us.”

NAIDOC Week – an invitation for curiosity

NAIDOC Week, held every July, celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a hugely significant event for Aimee: “NAIDOC week is not just another celebration – for us mob, it is Christmas,” she says.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’ marks five decades of NAIDOC and honours the Elders, organisers, artists and communities who built the movement.

Aimee explains that in Aboriginal communities ‘deadly’ means amazing, strong and inspiring – the highest compliment. By celebrating 50 years of deadly, we’re also celebrating 50 years of advocacy, community and honouring those who came before us.

Most importantly, much like her art, NAIDOC week offers an invitation to listen, be curious and have conversations about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture:

“When I sit down in front of a canvas, I’m thinking about something that makes people stop and ask a question or start a conversation. Because that’s where art has its greatest power…in connecting people.”

“I think that’s why I love working with organisations like Orikan,” Aimee adds, “Curiosity is where understanding begins. The conversation is the real masterpiece.”

The support doesn’t have to end with NAIDOC Week. Orikan partners with ColourSpace Gallery to display works by local emerging artists – including Aimee, whose art is currently hangs at our Melbourne head office. Explore Luruk-In for originals, prints and commissions, or talk to ColourSpace about art for your own space.

At Orikan, our work happens on Country. In communities and public spaces that our customers manage for everyone. Listening to First Nations voices is an important part of how we serve the communities we operate in.