Michelle Yeatman 'Charcoal II' 2024
Glazed Ceramic
10cm
Drawing on the deep connections between culture, land, and spirit in my work, I use ceramics as a means to express the resilience and strength of my people. My ceramic spheres represent charcoal, a symbol of both destruction and renewal, echoing the cycle of life and the importance of keeping cultural fires burning. Charcoal, for me, holds the stories of our ancestors, who lit the fires that continue to guide us today.
In alignment with this year's NAIDOC theme, Keep the Fire Burning, my work reflects the endurance of Indigenous cultures in the face of challenges. Each sphere I create embodies the essence of our traditions, and how, through fire, we renew and carry forward the knowledge and strength of those who have come before us. My art speaks to the continuous process of rekindling these fires, ensuring they never die out and that our stories, our culture, and our spirit live on.
Through my ceramics, I celebrate the power of fire as a source of life and as a reminder of our ongoing connection to Country, history, and community. It is my hope that this work inspires others to embrace their cultural roots and keep the flame of traditions alive for generations to come.
Exhibited in 'The Summer Show' exhibition @ UMI Arts Gallery, November 2024 - February 2025.
