Taring Padi

This newly commissioned work expresses the power of solidarity, education, cultural traditions and collective action to heal and resist systemic injustices across Indonesia and Western Australia.

The painting carries two titles: Narbiny nguluk nidja doorntj baarniny, moorditj dooytj-doornt (Care together, strong together), an expression in Noongar of resistance grounded in unity and compassion; and Rakyat Bersatu tak bisa dikalahkan (The People united cannot be defeated), an Indonesian protest slogan that resonates with global social justice movements.

In an act of translocal solidarity, the Indonesian art workers collective Taring Padi collaborated with artists Sharyn Egan (Noongar), Yabini Kickett (Ballardong, Whadjuk), Ilona McGuire (Whadjuk, Ballardong, Yuat, Kungarakan) and Tyrown Waigana (Wardandi Noongar, Ait Koedhal) to create a new banner. At its core, the banner’s imagery celebrates solidarity within and beyond its creators’ communities. Central to the composition are two circles of people gathered around a campfire in harmonious defiance of the ongoing tensions created by colonisation. These symbols of equality and mutual recognition embody the saying: Duduk sama rendah berdiri sama tinggi (Sitting down same low, standing up same high), and provide a positive counter to the polarising politics of resentment and exclusion.