Post Referendum Waves of Hope

The original concept for ‘Waves of hope’ was based on the overwhelming hope I heard listening to the voices of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in 2018. They voiced their hopes for a better future, one of being acknowledged and recognised in the constitution. One where the date we celebrate as a nation is changed to bring about reconciliation and healing. Their unwavering hope that things will change for the better washed over me in every place I visited. I would often catch myself remembering a wave of hope and it reminds me why we must continue to fight and challenge the status quo.

Post Referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament, these waves of hope remind me that there is a whole generation of young people coming behind me that will try again. I see these waves as a Tsunami, slowly building, that will one day wash over the nation in years to come and finally, we will be recognised in the constitution.

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My name is Samantha, and I’m a proud Torres Strait Islander woman with ancestral connections to both the Eastern and Central Islands, as well as Kiwi and Scottish ancestry. I was born on the mainland on Turrbal/Yuggera Country and raised on Kaurna Yerta.

My paintings are a contemporary expression of my deep connection with First Nations peoples across many countries. Each piece reflects the relationships, stories, and truths I’ve gathered through my journey.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting over 70 communities across Australia and listening to thousands of people share their lived experiences with me. These stories nourish my soul and deepen my connection to the rich and complex fabric of this nation.

But listening also carries weight. Time and time again, I’m reminded of the ongoing inequities our people face — legacies of colonisation still embedded in our systems and institutions.

My art emerged as a form of healing. Taught to me by healers in different parts of the country, these techniques became a way to process the vicarious trauma I was absorbing while engaging with communities across areas like health and wellbeing, education, child protection, incarceration, domestic and family violence, employment, and justice.

Through repetition and rhythm, these artistic methods calm my mind and allow me to fully process what I’ve heard. Each piece is part of my healing — keeping me strong, grounded, and able to continue fighting for our rights and elevating community voices in my professional life.

Every artwork I create is inspired by a real story — a moment, a voice, a truth I carry with me — and each one stands as a powerful reminder of the collective hope we share for a better future.