Leanne Tobin
“United We Stand Strong”
The eel represents Garrangatch, the Ancestral Creator of mountains and rivers, and the Parramatta River. Parramatta was once a plentiful source of eels. This is where the Burramattagal and other Darug clans would gather to celebrate and feast on the eels and hold corroborees.
In the painting the different clans are shown as the various dotted concentric circles lining the banks of the river. The ochre crescent shapes inside the red and orange circles represent women with their coolamons and digging sticks, sitting down together on the banks of the river to talk and exchange ideas.
The red ribbon running through the painting symobolises the unity of women working together and the ochre dots show the linking of the families together.
The green dots surrounding the concentric circles show the new growth generated from these meetings which is then spread between the groups to reconnect and strengthen the family, shown dancing together in solidarity and strength.
About the artist
Leanne Tobin is descended from the Darug, the traditional Aboriginal people of Greater Western Sydney. Her work sets out to convey a strong sense of commitment and responsibility to the place of her Ancestors. Leanne uses her art to tell local Darug stories and to send messages of environmental consciousness toward the land.
Her artwork acknowledges her mixed ancestry using western techniques infused with Aboriginal symbolism and stories. Her art, regardless of subject matter, consistently portrays a human element of emotive quality. Leanne’s artwork seeks to promote connection through the expression of feelings that are common to all.
A dominant theme is that of people within their environment. Her subjects are often indigenous, found in surroundings both traditional and contemporary.
Her landscapes seek to convey the intrinsic spiritual connection of indigenous people with the land, illuminating the stories of this place long ago including that, which is hidden beneath concrete and tar.