Electrical boxes given second life thanks to indigenous initiative
A group of First Nations artists have transformed power boxes across Melbourne’s west into a cultural and educational phenomenon about saving water and the land.
North West
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New aboriginal art has taken over public spaces in the west – but the canvas might not be what you’d expect.
Electrical boxes across Footscray, Yarraville, Essendon, Clifton Hill, and Sunshine have been given a second life by First Nations artists from Salt studio.
The three artists, in collaboration with City West Water, have turned them into a cultural and educational message for the masses.
The cabinets feature a beautiful water warrior who delivers a different message about water, trees, ceremony, community and totem – important aboriginal themes – at each of the different sites.
First Nations artist Terori Hareko-Avaivilla said she had a lot of fun painting each of the murals.
“The most fun was the Yarraville one – so many kids and families stopped by to watch,” she said.
The boxes each took a day to paint and were created using a mixture of techniques including spray painting and traditional paint brushes.
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Hareko-Avaivilla, who has been painting indigenous art since she was a child, said the water warrior held a significant message.
“It’s a homage to women who fight for land, water rights and water protection,” she said.
“In Yarraville, she’s holding onto the roots of the trees, signifying the importance of our trees.”
“The last box in Clifton Hill introduces her with a child, to show how she transmits her knowledge onto the next generation about that possession of land and water for the community.”