Artist: Edwina Rosalie (Eddie Braddick)
Edwina Rosalie aka ‘Eddie Braddick', Gumea-Dharawal woman with family heritage connection to both Dharrawal and Dhurga language within the Yuin Nation (along South Coast of NSW in Australia). I am a proud Mother, Daughter, Aunty, Sister, Cousin, Friend, and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, allies, and community to help people gain equitable social and emotional wellbeing support through Aboriginal health promotion in turn to live a good quality life.
I am passionate about art as a form of connection to my culture while healing or expressing non-verbal emotion; it continues to help me connect to my self-identity while strengthening my connection to country, family, community, spirit, and culture.
Being artistic and innovative has always been a part of my identity; as a very young child I was always making something or connecting to nature. Growing up my mum and all my siblings were creative in different ways, which always inspired me.
Style: Contemporary Abstract Aboriginal Art Artist, using colours and patterns to form my perception or connections through my cultural lens with modern approaches.
Medium/s: Acrylic or water based on canvas, textured mediums, use within and inspiration from natural objects from natural patterns I perceive or physical items - ochre, wood, rocks, plants, or feathers.
Tear Tide
(h: 51cm w: 76cm)
Tear Tide speaks to the quiet storms we carry through experienced trauma, the release we find in vulnerability, and the strength that can emerge from being swept clean. The piece is about the process of healing- allowing the current of our emotions to move through, reshape, and support us to evolve. Just as tides erode and smooth the roughest rocks, so too can our own waves of feelings shape us toward something new, something more authentic.
Artist Statement: I focused my energy to heal though trauma and grief over a 5 month duration in between work and life balance to capture the way emotions flow through us like water. This artwork is dedicated to my adorable son Joey and captured is his hand prints at the age of 3 years old to signify we shared this healing journey together.
Gudjaga-Laali Yandha Ngurra - Marking Our Memories
Gudjaga-Laali Yandha Ngurra - Marking Our Memories was created as a youth project on Country at Moona Creek, in Huskisson and Falls Creek NSW. Both areas are where Currumbine Creek flows through and is important to descendants of our ancestors ‘Lena Chapman nee Carpenter (dec) and Arthur Chapman (dec)’. This artwork was made to honour the resilience of Gumea Dharrawal people and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people impacted with intergenerational trauma or who are more likely to experience ACE’s. This project included Aboriginal children aged 0–17 living in NSW or QLD, alongside family members. Offering connection to kinships with a learning experience on Country about culture and traditional practices.
The art piece is proudly displayed at Headspace Nowra to encourage all children and families to look after our youths Social and Emotional Wellbeing through reaching out for help if needed.
Children made handprints, footprints, and finger print marks on the sand section of the painting; after learning and connecting on country to culture, family and the importance of ochre in ceremony. Their marks represent the shared memories we create and our connection to each other through country, family and culture. Ochre was mixed in with paint within the layout of the sand to symbolize we are protected and walk with our ancestors. Local bush tucker plants and significant plants used in ceremony. Family presence strengthened the children’s experience, reinforcing that culture, identity, and connection to Country are passed through generations.
The emu in the artwork symbolizes the totem spirit of artist Edwina and her family; while acknowledging ancestors presence, protection, and guidance during this shared ceremonial and creative experience. Each mark is a memory, a story, and a step in the journey of remembering, connecting to who we are, all while honoring each other and our culture.
Acknowledgement - background creation: Rory (nephew) who showed incredible talent in support of this project through yarning about concept, colour creation (water, sand and bush leaves), painting, and helping with children’s involvement. Renae (niece) showed passion through respectfully grounding up and adding ochre to paint. Taminya (sister) became involved through helping paint some of painting of the creek. Joey (son) who initiated use of kids using ochre as print markings.
Acknowledgement - hand, finger or foot print markings and people involved: Lilly.B, Myrah.B, Robert.B, Valerie.B, Tristan.B, Caleb.B, Lylah.B, Matty.D, Dakota.D, Kai.D, Lara.D, Jacinda.B, Jamari.B, Jayanah.B, Dontate.B, Zahlee.B, Amiyah.B, Tyreese.B, Cody.P, Ella.P, Sharee.P, Xavier.S, Phobe.S, Zebastian.S, Stephanie.S, Katie.B, Sophie.B, Charlie.B, MyrahP, Simone.P, Joey.M, Renae.F, Rory.K, Isla.B, Rosalie.B, Jerram.B, Bradley.B, Jaya.B.
Waters together (w:40cm h:30cm)
Waters Together is a story of two waters—salt water and fresh water—flowing from different places but forever connected through Country, culture, and spirit.
Fresh water comes from our creeks, springs and brings life to our land. Saltwater comes from the sea, strong and endless, holding knowledge of tides, fishing and trade. Where they meet they dance, mix, and shift; just like our kinship systems and way of sharing culture across mobs.
Artist Statement: This painting speaks of unity – how land and water, people and spirit, all move as one. The patterns and flowing shapes show the pathways that connect us, and the sacred energy that keeps Country alive. This painting is also a tribute to my beautiful sibling and big sister Taminya, who brings connect our family through her love and strength.
