I am following in the footsteps of my ancestors and using art to share my stories

I want to be a professional artist and use my work to connect with community and culture.
(ABC: Bruce Williams)

Interview with Alliyah from Kurri Kurri, NSW, Wonnarua Country

School was hard.

I felt like I didn't fit into the way the school system was built.

I found it hard to focus for extended periods and struggled to make friends.

I would avoid class.

But I just felt more lost.

Pop saw how much I was struggling. He suggested I spent more time painting.

He knew I loved art.

When I am painting, I feel alive.

I have no trouble focusing while I'm mastering a new skill.

It's a way to express myself when I don't necessarily have the words.

I'm a Kamilaroi girl. But I didn't know much about my culture.

I'm driven and self-motivated when I'm interested in something.

I am grateful to my ADHD for that.

So I started educating myself, researching my mob's traditional symbols.

My favourite things to paint are eagles, dolphins, and meeting places. These symbols to me represent courage, consistency, and a bright future.  

Aunty Renee runs the Dream Together program. It's my safe space at school and a place where I can connect with my culture. I owe a lot to her.  

She gives me that push when I need it.

I connected with other artists on Instagram to ask about what paints to use and how to set up a business.

I found a balance between my style of art, and what I'd learnt about my culture.

I've now had 70 commissioned pieces!

I have gotten to paint surfboards for the winners at Surfest and am currently working on the artwork for the Port of Newcastle reconciliation action plan.

But I wouldn't be able to do it without my support system.

Mum is a single mum. She's strong, sacrifices a lot and always shows up. She makes me see that my goal to be a professional Aboriginal artist is possible.

I'm balancing school, part time work and art. My boss Helaina has taught me to see the bigger picture, and always reminds me that I can achieve so much more than what I think I can.

I want to go into communities and teach cultural art and show our younger generation just how beautiful our culture is.

I've already started by painting a mural for my local Kurri Kurri community centre with the help of 30 local primary school kids.

It represents community, courage and growth.

I would like to teach children to use art as an outlet, like me, and to use it to tell stories, like how our elders and ancestors did.

That would be pretty amazing.

First published at ABC News, December 11, 2024