Gunditjmara Ngalak

This artwork celebrates the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Kilcarer Gundidj clan, capturing their deep connection to land and sea. It draws inspiration from the early interactions between the Gunditjmara people and British settlers in the 1830s, where despite challenges, the Gunditjmara remained steadfast in their bond with the natural world.

The swirling dots and vibrant colors represent the harmonious relationship between the people and the ocean, which provided sustenance and life. The patterns of sacred tracks symbolize the Gunditjmara people's enduring journey, one that continues to this day, unbroken and strong. White tracks meander through the piece, representing the paths of ancestor spirits, whose presence guides and protects the land, continuing to walk beside their descendants.

The bright blues of the ocean, paired with warm earth tones, reflect both the vitality of the land and the strength of the community, which has withstood many trials throughout history. This piece is a tribute to the Gunditjmara’s ongoing legacy, highlighting their resilience, connection to the land, and the continuous spirit of life that flows through their culture. The circular motifs echo the cycles of life, renewal, and the enduring bond between the people, their environment, and their ancestor spirits.

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Michael Rehardt is a Gold Coast-based Indigenous artist. He likes to work with acrylic on canvas to create large dotted aboriginal paintings that captivate you with colour, imagination and beauty.

His other great artistic love is graphite portraits. This may seem like an unlikely combination, but Michaels acute eye for detail does both so well. Michael resigned from his corporate career in early 2021 to pursue his passion and love of the arts. His days are now spent painting his indigenous stories or recording music as a solo acoustic singer-songwriter.

Michael’s interest in dot painting was inspired by his mother, Leonie Rehardt, an indigenous artist. She taught Michael her unique style, this becoming the platform for his own style. Michael uses culturally-based techniques to create true Dreamtime stories utilising his own experiences and familial history.

Michael was born off country in Launceston, Tasmania and has strong ties to the Palawa people. His ancestral mob is the Boonwurrung River people of the Port Phillip area within the Kulin Nation of South-East Victoria.