YELLAMUNDIE FESTIVAL 2023 - Currents Beneath Skin by Maddison Fraser & Harlisha Newie-Joe
Currents Beneath Skin explores the deep connection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through the journey of seashells. Born from the earth and shaped by the sea, shells carry stories across coastlines, symbolising cycles of birth, change, and continuity. However, the journey of these shells is increasingly disrupted by the shifting tides of the world today. Rising seas and changing ecosystems threaten the balance of our land, water, and culture. The work reflects how the ocean’s surface, ever-changing yet constant, mirrors the resilience of our communities who continue to uphold their traditions and the ongoing effort to protect both the environment and the stories carried within it. Through the symbolism of the shell and the currents that guide them, Currents Beneath Skin highlights the fragility of connection between culture, environment, and identity in a changing world.
