Artwork From The Torch – Issue No. 17
Southern Songlines #6, Luke Mc, Wulgurukaba people, 2024, acrylic on canvas
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The Lands of the Namoi River People
By Hippai Francis
Kamilaroi people
2025
Looking down on the lands of the Namoi River people from the Guinbrai clan, the stylised river flows across the land. Along the river are the meeting places of the Guinbrai families, shown as fireplaces with people sitting around them. Since time immemorial, the families have gathered, living in their gunyahs and cooking in earth ovens. They are born, grow, live, hunt and gather around the river and wetlands and the surrounding mountains, hills, and plains. Here children played; here people died and are buried. Along the river, events over the generations are remembered in the clan’s Songlines. It is a great tapestry of human life and of the world around them. The surrounding country, with its plains, woodlands, forests, hills, and mountains is represented. The pictorial inserts show common trees such as the cypress pine, red gum, wilga, and wattles. Important totem animals are also shown, such as the red kangaroo, emu and red cockatoo, and the sky with its own life. The seasons are seen top to bottom.
The Lands of the Namoi River People
By Hippai Francis
Kamilaroi people
2025
Looking down on the lands of the Namoi River people from the Guinbrai clan, the stylised river flows across the land. Along the river are the meeting places of the Guinbrai families, shown as fireplaces with people sitting around them. Since time immemorial, the families have gathered, living in their gunyahs and cooking in earth ovens. They are born, grow, live, hunt and gather around the river and wetlands and the surrounding mountains, hills, and plains. Here children played; here people died and are buried. Along the river, events over the generations are remembered in the clan’s Songlines. It is a great tapestry of human life and of the world around them. The surrounding country, with its plains, woodlands, forests, hills, and mountains is represented. The pictorial inserts show common trees such as the cypress pine, red gum, wilga, and wattles. Important totem animals are also shown, such as the red kangaroo, emu and red cockatoo, and the sky with its own life. The seasons are seen top to bottom.
Date Published
December 9, 2025
By Boom Gate Gallery
Most of the art featured at Boom Gate Gallery is made at Long Bay Gaol, with some coming from other prisons in NSW.
ISSUE NO. 26
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2 MIN READ
By Denham Sadler
You’ve probably heard of AFL legends Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. But what you might not know, is that they also started their own charity called the GO Foundation.
ISSUE NO. 26
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3 MIN READ
By NAAJA
NAAJA has a 50-year history of serving Aboriginal Territorians as they navigate the justice system.
ISSUE NO. 25
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3 MIN READ
By Denham Sadler
Tracy was one of many women released from prison straight into homelessness. Thanks to the Homeward Sisters program, Tracy was able to secure priority housing that meets her needs.
ISSUE NO. 24
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3 MIN READ