Tree of Life

It is important to me to learn Aboriginal art. When I started doing art I didn’t know much about it and I didn’t have any skills. Now I have good skills and I can help the other men with their work. It makes me feel good about myself by helping them. I was a billet for four years in the pottery room and was responsible for keeping the art room clean. I learnt to use a wet rag to wipe down surfaces and the floor, as the dust is not good for your health.

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The art and pottery rooms are good for us fellas to get together and share a space that is culturally relevant. It helps to strengthen our cultural ties and bond as Aboriginal men in a positive and helpful environment.

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I can hand-build with clay and use the pottery wheel now. I have made small animals; large ones too. The large ones are a wombat and an elephant. Before I started pottery I did match-work and Paddle Pop stick-building. I made a one storey house first, then I built a two storey one, then finally a three-storey mansion which was fully furnished and stood one meter high. After these projects I began to make didgeridoos. Firstly, I made them with match sticks and then with Paddle Pop sticks with bark on them. They play and work well.

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When I get out of prison, I will be doing match-work and woodwork during the day and at night I will be doing pottery work. I would like my children to be involved with this because I can see the benefits they can get out of being creative.