2025 First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams | Patsy Smith (Taungurung)

Описание: Patsy Smith’s (Taungurung) artwork ‘Parliament Forrest’ was the sixth and final 2025 First Peoples Melbourne Art Tram to take to the tracks.

Aunty Patsy is a Taungurung Traditional Owner and artist, as well as a founding member and board member of Baluk Arts on the Mornington Peninsula. Aunty Patsy's work reflects themes of displacement, reconnection, cultural heritage, community, tradition and pride in her Taungurung identity. Her imagery draws in the viewer and encourages an emotional response to the work. Aunty Patsy's work is reflective, strong, and possesses honest integrity.

Baluk Arts is an Aboriginal-owned and led community arts centre in Mount Eliza, supporting Aboriginal artists from southeast Victoria and beyond. They foster artistic excellence, cultural reconnection, and creative well-being.

On the artwork, Patsy says: “Parliament Forest tells the story of First Nations people, always walking in two worlds. Images of my many times travelling through the Black spur over the great divide with the majestic towering Mountain Ash Trees tall and straight that signalled my arrival on beautiful Taungurung country and with this the weight of my responsibilities as a traditional owner to the land, elders and my community.

“The second image comes from significant events that came out of the "Bringing Them Home' report in 1997 (Australian Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children). As a mark of remembrance, the Aboriginal community and members of the stolen generations would commemorate the anniversary each year with a march up Bourke Street and lay wreaths of gum leaves and flowers on the steps of the Victorian Parliament House. For those of us who were taken and in remembrance to those who are gone never able to make the journey home.
“The long pillars that support the structure of this building are reminiscent of the towering Mountain Ash forest. As First Nations peoples we are held responsible by the Westminster Law and we are guided by our responsibility to our Elders for our Lore on country.”

Search #5002 on the tramTRACKER app to find this tram along routes 6 and 19.

The 2025 Art Trams will traverse the city streets as testaments to the power of their expression for 12 months.

Presented as part of RISING, in partnership with Public Transport Victoria, Yarra Trams and Creative Victoria. Thank you to Baluk Arts.

Discover the complete 2025 First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams guide: https://rising.melbourne/wormhole/art...

Video: Breakfast Video
Thumbnail photo: James Morgan