After collecting over 6000 fingerprints from athletes and dignitaries during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, a locally-born indigenous artist’s painting has gone on display for the first time at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.
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Chern’ee Sutton’s nine metre long artwork Caina Putut, IIya, Wartanganha - Long ago, Today, Tomorrow was created during a residency at the Athletes’ Village, with guests including Prince Charles and Dawn Fraser making their mark on the painting.
Ms Sutton, who was born in Mount Isa and now lives in Bundaberg, said she wanted her artwork, which includes unique black-light and 3D elements, to help educate the world about Australia’s rich history and culture.
“Caina Putut, IIya, Wartanganha means Long ago, Today, Tomorrow in the Kalkadoon language and is a timeline of Australia’s history, from Aboriginal people living alongside megafauna to present day Australia,” Ms Sutton said.
“During the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, dignitaries, athletes and guests placed their fingerprints in 11 large circles representing the 11 days of competition, while medallists added their fingerprints to the gold, silver and bronze circles representing the medals.”
Mark Cartwright, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at the Mint, said they were official medal makers of the Gold Coast Games.
“Having Chern’ee’s painting on display is also special for staff who worked tirelessly on the production of the Commonwealth Games medals and who can now see these medals represented in such a significant artwork,” Mr Cartwright said.
Caina Putut, IIya, Wartanganha - Long ago, Today, Tomorrow will be on display at the Mint from September 11 until February 2019. Entry to the Mint is free.
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