Sandon Gibbs-O’Neill, How The Platypus Came To Be, 2024

Acrylic on canvas, 110x70cm

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In the time of the Creation, there was a community of ducks living on the river. The old people would teach the young where it was safe to swim, but there was a young girl who kept swimming in a part of the river where it was not safe. The old people kept telling her not to swim there but she ignored them. One day, while swimming in the unsafe area, the young girl was captured by a lonely water rat who was looking for a mate.

The water rat kept the young girl prisoner for a long time and all the time the girl was looking for ways to escape and return to her community. As time went on the water rat became more and more confident that she would not try to escape and he began to relax. The young girl eventually found an opportunity to escape and returned to her community where she was welcomed and everyone celebrated her return.

Soon it was laying time for the community and all the ducks started to make their nests in hollow trees. After the eggs had hatched the proud parents were swimming around with their young and showing them to each other. They told the young girl to bring her lovely young ducklings out as well. But when they came out, there were only two of them and they looked strange. “What are they?” asked the other ducks. “They are my children” the young girl replied proudly. But her children were quite different from the other children in the community – instead of down feathers they had soft fur, instead of two feet they had four, their bills were like that of a duck and their feet were webbed but on their hind leg was the point of a spear similar to that which the water rat always carried.

The community told the young girl to take her children away for they were the children of the enemy – the water rat and they might kill the ducks. So, the young girl left her own country and hunting ground and swam a long way up river to the mountains and that’s where she made her home with her children. However, she fretted so much for her country and community that she died shortly after. The Creator saw the love and commitment she showed for her children and out of respect for her, he created more platypus of different totems so they could form their own community, have their own country, laws and beliefs.

As a proud Nhunggabarra artist, my work is deeply rooted in the stories, traditions, and landscapes of my heritage. For the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to exploring and expressing my culture through acrylic paintings on canvas and various public murals. My art serves as a bridge between cultures, weaving together traditional teachings and contemporary perspectives. Through this fusion, I aim to share the richness of my Aboriginal identity with a broader audience. Each piece reflects my deep connection to the land, the generations before me and the stories that have been passed down through time.

Drawing from my experiences and the wisdom of my Grandfather Tex Skuthorpe, I aim to highlight the profound connection between people and the land, emphasising the importance of respect and stewardship. Each piece is infused with the spirit of my community, reflecting the resilience and beauty of Aboriginal culture.

Art, for me, is a powerful medium for storytelling and healing. I believe that by sharing these stories, we can foster greater understanding and appreciation for Aboriginal perspectives. This exhibition is not just a display of art, it is an invitation to join me on a journey of discovery and understanding. I hope my work allows conversations about resilience, identity, and the importance of preserving our cultural narratives for future generations.

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Artwork is available for collection or shipping after the closing date of the exhibition, November 2nd 2024.

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