This artwork emerged from a series of heartfelt yarns with families and communities whose journeys intersect with RFW to encapsulate themes of collaboration, healing, and belonging.
Yiran Birrang explores the journey of healing, represented by golden dots scattered throughout the piece, signifying the support, and hope fostered by RFW. Flowing across the canvas are leaves from Frances Belle Parker’s RAP artwork, symbolizing growth, transformation, and the collaborative spirit of RFW.
Simultaneously, a vibrant blend of colours—drawn from RFW’s logo—reflect belonging to community and connection to Country. The stars in the painting honour those who have passed, their memories shining bright like guiding lights in the night sky. Lines between meeting places represent connections shared between communities and families on their journey from bush to beach. Journeys are also encompassed within representations of Peter’s connection with RFW, whereby footprints depict his uncle walking on Country after his time at RFW. The songlines of eels travelling between oceans and rivers convey the power of storytelling in keeping journeys and connections strong.
Eight coolamons are nestled across the canvas, each linked to meeting places that foster community ties, the sharing of knowledge, and the nurturing of the next generation. Anchoring the bottom right of the painting is the meeting place of Royal Far West itself, depicted as a gathering point where people from all walks of life come together. This central motif symbolizes the heart of RFW’s work: connecting, supporting, and nurturing families across generations.
