Former Glen Innes High School student turned internationally-recognised Indigenous artist Nick Levy returned to his old school haunts as part of what is proving to be his first collaborative mural work.
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After exhibiting in Japan and the United Kingdom and selling a number of works across the European, African and Asian continents, the acclaimed artist – now based in Armidale – teamed up with a group of keen students to complete a painted mural as part of the school’s NAIDOC week celebrations.
Taking up both sides of the brick wall bordering the school’s basketball courts, Mr Levy said the mural included natural scenes from the coastal and inland areas bordering New England and speaks to the connections between local and surrounding Indigenous groups and languages.
Joining both a seascape, including coastal language groups such as the Bundjalung and Dunghutti, with the local inland landscape, GIHS aboriginal studies teacher Adele Chapman-Burgess said the finished mural includes representations of local totems and connects the Gomeroi and Ngoorabl language groups with their surrounding neighbours.
Ms Chapman-Burgess, who coordinated the artistic engagement through a friendship with Mr Levy since his graduation, said his work has found great acceptance overseas and domestically for his talented and unique style.
Mr Levy said the project proved to be an excellent opportunity to engage local students in a major arts project and commended the group for their enthusiasm.
Completed over a three-day engagement with the school, the mural was a highlight in the week’s events and a testament to cultural appreciation at the school.