The Refern Murals
The photos you are witnessing is of a remarkable journey to Redfern Stations Iconic Murals, that spread across  the Lawson ST bridge, Rederfen NSW, Australia. Initially created by artist Carol Ruffer in 1983, the paintings that spread across the three hundred feet wall, tell a story of the progression of the Indigenous lifestyle and community, expressing many hardships experienced, battles lost and won and the changes have made the community what they are today (McNab, 2017). Upon first look, One of the first elements that I was drawn to  is the Largely fonted writing stating â40,000 years is a long time, 40,000 years still on my mindâŚ.â. This quote alludes to the cultural significance that these murals have had not only to those of the Redfern community but of those whom are involved within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions (Berry, 2016).  It is evident that there is a clear significance of the public artwork, as it continues to remain one of the very few originals spread throughout the local community. As seen in my video, its presence within Modern society is one that evidently remains significant, as constructions within modern day Sydney are made around these artworks, representing the innovative progression and movement toward the future of our home and the remaining Acknowledgement to these significant elements that draw profound meaning within the Indigenous society.
Reflecting upon my own background knowledge, the  mural contains a variety of symbolic meaning in which demonstrate a  wide spectrum of influential  beings within the Indigenous community. At the beginning of the Mural, curves of the great Rainbow Serpent is present, signifying the âCreator Beingâ of the land (Lee, 2013). Leading from this there are photos of footprints, representing the journey and  the connection that these people had to the land (Lee, 2013). Also seen on the mural are the historical forms of hunting and traditional gathering, and distressed faces, coffins and grave sites. Reflecting upon the significance of these elements, a clear image of the stolen generations and the post-contact conflict can be made as individuals are able to empathise the brutality and the harsh reality for the indigenous population whom suffered for many years.
The footprints instilled within the Mural is also a factor that enables those from  Non- Indigenous perspectives to grasp upon the idea that Indigenous people were indeed the traditional owners of the land in which we gather upon within our Modern contemporary society. Local community members such as Aunty Mona Donnelly and the 1979 Redfern all black Rugby league team have also seen to be integrated within this piece of art, as a touch of Modernity and the conclusiveness to the ideas that this is how far the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have come (Griffiths, 2018). The vast integration of elements from the Past, Present and future seen within the creation of the Mural allowed me to explore the depths of the Aboriginal Spirituality and the cultural heritage in a way in which i had not before, and thus in turn, i was rewarded with a more  enhanced learning outcome and one in which all individuals within today's society are privileged to have, keep and preserve for generations to come.
References:Â
McNab, H. (2017). 40,000 Years mural to be restored. Retrieved from
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news local/central-sydney/redferns-40000-years-mural-will-be-fully-restored-thanks-to-grant/news-story/3dc9c876355664d0c1630dc64ffde3f7
Berry, Vanessa, âBig Vision: The Sydney murals of Carol Ruffâ, Mirror Sydney, 2016, Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â https://mirrorsydney.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/big-vision-the-sydney-murals-of-carol-ruff, viewed 15 may 2018
Lee, Ada, âRestoring Redfernâs 40,000 Years muralâ South Sydney Herald, 11 November 2013, http://www.southsydneyherald.com.au/restoring-redferns-40000-years-mural/#.WqBw74iGOUk, viewed 15 may 2018
Griffiths, M. (2018, April 27). Iconic Redfern mural restored in the face of gentrification.Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-28/iconic-redfern-mural-repainted-in-the-face-of-gentrification/9705354