Westfield Southland has partnered for the second year in a row with Aboriginal artist Merindah-Gunya, a proud Peek and Kirrae Whurrong woman of the Maar nation in South-West Victoria.

Merindah-Gunya has created an original artwork titled Ngootyoong ‘Joy’ showing a story of connection between land, water and people. This includes a meeting place symbolic of Westfield Southland and the community of people that gather here every day.

The centre will come to life with the Ngootyoong artwork whilst customers will have the chance to win the original by visiting the display on level 2 near Country Road.

About the Artist: Merindah-Gunya

Bayley Mifsud is a proud member of the Peek and Kirrae Whurrong people of the Maar nation from South West Victoria (Warrnambool).

Her Aboriginal name is Merindah-Gunya meaning “Beautiful Spirit” in Peek Whurrong language, which was gifted to her through ceremony by her parents and Elders.

Bayley has a passion for community development, diversity and self-determination as well as continuing the gift of storytelling through her artwork.

Bayley now lives on Wurundjeri Country in Naarm (Melbourne) and has lived a large portion of her life here. Her great granny Mary Clarke was a Bunurong woman.

Bayley was taught Aboriginal art at a very young age, by her Elders at the Brambuk Cultural Centre in the Grampians in Victoria.

We sat down with Bayley to learn more about how she became an artist and discussed the process she takes when she creates her Aboriginal styled art pieces.

How did you begin your journey as an artist, and what made you want to pursue art as a career?

I began doing Aboriginal art at the age of 5, learning from my Elders at the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Grampians. I had a particular interest and talent in art and continued to learn through the guidance and encouragement of my Elders.

My particular interest in dot art stemmed from a family trip to Alice Springs where I sat with a group of old women who showed me how they told a story through dot painting.

I, like most children never had the opportunity to learn Indigenous art throughout my schooling. During High School I did multiple art subjects and in Year 11 was given a project with “Identity” as the theme. This was the first chance in school I had to show the beautiful meaning and history behind Aboriginal art.

At the beginning of COVID last year I found myself with a lot of free time and took the opportunity to start doing art again.

My formal journey began when I posted an artwork, I had created for myself on my private Facebook page which sparked interest from other family and friends.

What does your art mean to you?

It is hard to explain the spiritual connection that I have with Aboriginal art. I feel so connected and passionate about being able to continue what my Elders have taught me.

Tell us about your creative process – what gives you inspiration for your art

The pieces that I create represent mine and my Elders stories.

When I do a piece for a client, I ask them to send through their story that they want represented. My favourite part about doing commissioned pieces is being able to create an artwork that the client not only likes visually, but also spiritually as it represents what is important to them.

How can people best support Indigenous artists such as yourself?

I would encourage people to promote Aboriginal artists on their social media. We all have phones and some form of social media whether it be Instagram, Facebook, Linked In. Go follow a page and share an artwork to give that Blak creator more exposure.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming artists?

I say art is like sport, if you want to get better at it, you have to practice. The more you practice and experiment with different materials, mediums and styles, the better you will get because you will start to learn what suits you best.

Also, not to be too harsh on yourself, art is subjective to opinion. I often create pieces that don’t quite look how I wanted them to but I show my family and they love it.

Where can we find more of your work?

My biggest social media platform is Instagram and my username is @merindahgunya. I also have a website with prints and apparel, that are all produced out of 100% Australian made materials. My website is www.merindahgunya.com.au.

About the Artwork: Ngootyoong 'Joy'

This artwork shows a story of connection between land, water and people. The large meeting place is symbolic of Westfield Southland and the community of people that gather here every day. The story shows the journey that Westfield Southland has been on in the past, in the present and into the future, through the three journey lines in the bottom right corner. The story pays tribute to the Country which is located on, the lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. The meeting places connected by water is the coastline that boarders the Traditional lands of the Bunurong people. These waters contributing greatly to allow their culture to now be the longest living culture on the planet. – Artist, Merindah-Gunya

To find out more about Merindah-Gunya and to see more of her work, visit https://merindahgunya.com.au