As we prepare for Sunday’s Marn Grook match against Fremantle at Henson Park, we are thrilled to highlight the unique gift created by Peta-Joy Williams for the gift exchange ceremony.
Peta-Joy, a full-time artist and part-time worker at the Sydney Fringe Festival, has poured her heart and soul into crafting a piece that embodies cultural significance and artistic beauty.
Peta-Joy's journey as an artist is deeply intertwined with her Wiradjuri heritage. She explains, "Everything I do, I do in threes. So, I've got three coils in this design, all connected to this central line. The coil means that everything is connected.”
This intricate design symbolises the connection between past, present, and future, as well as mind, body, and spirit.
The piece, named "Yindyamarra," is a testament to the cultural connection of the girls playing the game. "Yindyamarra" translates to respect in Wiradjuri, but its meaning runs much deeper. It represents the silent and attentive listening to one another, caring for the country, and respecting each other. Meanwhile the feathers in the piece symbolise light-footedness and the concept of treading gently.
Peta-Joy's use of raffia, a type of palm from Madagascar, adds another layer of significance to the artwork. She explains, "When I teach weaving, I teach with raffia because it's softer on your hands. Traditional fibres take a lot of treatment and things like that. So, it's about taking from the plant so it can still grow but also making sure that you're doing it with care and respect."
The emu feathers, or "dinawan" in Wiradjuri, further enhance the piece's cultural depth. "Dinawan translates to special foot. It's an animal that can't run backwards or walk backwards, so it’s that forward movement as well," Peta-Joy shares. This symbolism aligns perfectly with the spirit of the game and the forward momentum of the players.
Peta-Joy's connection to her heritage is evident not only in her artwork but also in her personal journey. Born and bred in Sydney, she grew up in Bidjigal country and remains connected to both the La Perouse local lands council and Trangie lands council, where her grandmother comes from. She often travels to Wiradjuri country to conduct workshops and give back to the community.
