The Torch provides art, cultural and arts-industry support to Indigenous offenders and ex-offenders in Victoria with the aim to reduce the rate of reoffending.
Operating since 2011, The Torch’s vision is that all Indigenous people in the Victorian prison system have an opportunity to increase their connection to culture, and in turn, a pathway out of the criminal justice system.
The Student Precinct Project partnered with The Torch to curate a selection of artworks, to be displayed on digital screens throughout the site.
See a selection of the artworks below.
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Sheldon (Murri people) ‘Goanna Dreaming’ 2020, acrylic on canvas
Throughout my cultural journey there have been many twists and turns. The more open I am in embracing my culture, the more it helps me be a strong, proud Indigenous man. As I learn and paint, the more connected I become to community, our stories, our history and the Country we long for and call home. A feeling of healing gives me a stronger connection to myself, our Elders and our ancestors. The goanna was once a warrior who walked upon this land through the Dreamtime and roams through the constellations in the night sky. If we can open our eyes through culture and Dreamtime, we can open our spirit and heal ourselves back to family and Country. We can do this even by looking into the sky and connecting back to our ancestor and Country. The green symbols are connected ceremonial sites guiding us along our cultural journey. On the top and bottom edges, our mob (Elders past and present) walks with us in our ancestors' footprints. We are all welcome home on Country wherever we are. This is my Dreaming. -
Robby Wirramanda (Wergaia/Wotjobaluk people) ‘Chinkapook (Place of Red Water) My Grandmother's Country’ 2018, acrylic on canvas
This painting tells the story of the underground water that bleeds from the ground and the energy deposits within the ground of Chinkapook in north west Victoria. The energy within the ground is represented by the swellings in the lines. -
Veronica Mungaloon Hudson (Pitjantjatjara people) ‘Bush Soap’ 2018, acrylic on canvas
Bush soap, when mixed with quja (water) will make soap for washing. Different colours, different smells. -
Heather Shawe (Wiradjuri people) ‘Everything’s Shining’ 2020, acrylic on canvas
This painting expresses how my once gloomy life has become new and shining. -
Ash Thomas (Yorta Yorta/ Wiradjuri peoples) ‘A Spiritual Connection’ 2022, acrylic on canvas
This painting has a deep meaning of purpose to me. It is about my journey and my Dreaming. It represents my spiritual connection to my culture and my Country, my strength, and the self-belief that makes me the proud man I am today. There are many hours in this painting. Sometimes I feel I lost hours, or days, when it felt like I was being guided by the spirits of my ancestor, teaching me my culture and who I am supposed to be. The shield with its woodgrain is my strength and knowledge which I need to get me through every day. The patterns represent time - past and present. The campsites along the way are where I've been, where I am now, and where I'm going next on this deadly journey. -
M.Sebbens (Wemba Wemba/Gunditjmara people) ‘Emu Hunting’ 2021, acrylic on canvas
This painting is of three men tracking and hunting an emu. Both the men and the animal are depicted in the spirit form of our ancestors hunting the emu. This is to signify the generations past and the vast amount of time this has been practised. The lines and dots represent the journey to hunting grounds and ceremonies of different areas. This is my Dreaming. -
Danielle K (Yorta Yorta people) ‘Rain on the Water’ 2019, acrylic on canvas
Rain in Yorta Yorta Country on the river. -
Frances Castles (Kamilaroi people) ‘Warmth’ 2017, acrylic on canvas
The different coloured squares represent the connections between different tribes. They are stitched together by a red thread connecting them through tribe and blood lines. -
Kenny (Gunaikurnai people) ‘The Way of the Land to the Gunnai Man and Woman’ 2022, acrylic on canvas
This is a story about a Gunnai man who likes living on the land and a Gunnai woman who likes the animals on the land. One day the man got thirsty so he went to the river where he saw a woman. That's how the man and woman met on Gunnai land. -
Tomo Snr (Wurundjeri people) ‘Sacred Site’ 2020, acrylic on canvas
This represents our connection to our sacred sites, land and culture. The flowers are Echium candicans. -
Jody Lahrs (Gumbaynggirr people) ‘A Cultural Flame of Motivation #1’ 2022, acrylic on canvas
With a cultural flame of motivation, we can be more than we currently perceive. I've spent a lot of time meditating and focusing on my personal growth and development, a deep wanting to be more than I am. I have come through a lot in my life and sometimes I and others ask, how the hell did I survive? I have survived and now the future is in my own hands to do something good with; it's up to me and my decisions. -
Peter J (Yilba people) ‘The Shield’ 2021, acrylic on canvas
This shield is a pattern inside my mind that I feel has been passed on from my ancestors. The spears represent me protecting my family. I love my culture and my people. -
Stacey (Taungurung/Boon Wurrung people) ‘Bush Bouquet #2’ 2021, acrylic on canvas
I love proteas. The bush bouquet is a beautiful arrangement that reminds me of nature and the outdoors.
The Torch digital exhibition
Learn about The Torch artists Ashley Thomas,
Chris Austin and Thelma Beeton, in their own words, in the videos below.
Reconciliation
We are committed to fostering an environment in which the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their fellow Australians is characterised by a deep mutual respect, leading to positive change in our nation’s culture and capacity.