Respect for Mother Earth

Rehanna Coulthard

Size: 122 x 76cm

The Story: Rehanna Coulthard is an Adnyamathanha yura artu (woman) living on Adnyamathanha Yarta (Country) in the Flinders Ranges. “My work as an artist is inseparable from my cultural identity. Each piece I create reflects my deep connection to Adnyamathanha Yarta and the teachings of my Elders. Through my art, I communicate both traditional and contemporary Aboriginal narratives, blending ancient symbols and stories with modern techniques”.

Respect for Mother Earth was created using natural ochre from the Flinders Ranges that was gifted to Rehanna. Ochre is a natural earth pigment that has been used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years for art and ceremonies. It is an iron-rich rock, which gives it a range of colours. Ochre can only be collected by men in the community.

In this painting, the ochre is more than pigment and texture, it honours Country and Mother Earth. The title, Respect for Mother Earth, reflects Rehanna’s belief that using ochre comes with a duty of care, just as winemakers must respect the soil to grow healthy vineyards and thriving grapes. The handprints represent individuals’ responsibility to actively respect Mother Earth, while the central gathering circle speaks to the collective responsibility held by all, to protect and honour the land.

“Adnyamathanha people being the Rock People of the Flinders Ranges; have an obligation as a whole to protect the Rocks – we view these rocks skeletal for Mother Earth – we have to protect it all in order to have mother Earth to continue to provide for you”.