ROBINVALE-born artist Brendan Kennedy hopes his mural at Mildura Airport will encourage visitors to think about the region’s First Nations history before they take off.
Kennedy last week began work on a 6m by 1.8m mural on the wall of the airport’s departure hall.
Previously Kennedy had worked on murals in Melbourne, including a 28m one located in the Melbourne Museum.
The new mural, titled Milluwi Tangurra, which is river country in Latji Latji launguage, had two main figures Wulekil (Eaglehawk) and Wangi (crow), as well as Ngawingi (the sun).
Kennedy, a Latji Latji man, said it was about “our river country and how significant the river is here to Latji Latji people and all Murray River people”.
“You can see all the key animals that are part of our system and the relationship those animals have to the river and the cultural landscape,” he said.
Mildura Airport chief executive Trevor Willcock said the artwork was part of a wide project aiming to bring Aboriginal representation to the precinct.
He said several artists submitted four or five artworks for consideration for the mural, but Kennedy’s was selected unanimously.
“We just felt that the Aboriginal history here is so rich and diverse and it was important that something like the airport, which is a gateway to tourism, had something to show for the local history,” Mr Willcock said.
Kennedy said it was a privilege and an opportunity to promote First Nations art from the area and First Nations culture.
“I hope this gives (travellers) insight and reminds the public and the business world that us First Nations people have never ceded our sovereignty and everyone is enjoying the benefits of Aboriginal land and water,” he said.
“Hopefully the artwork reminds people to think of First Nations people when they are going about their daily lives and operating in their industry.”
