New Mural Collaboration: Rusted Tin x Katira
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A unique meeting between two cultures Aboriginal Australian and Colombian
A new mural collaboration between artists Scott Rathman (AKA Rusted Tin) and Katherine Gailer (AKA Katira) stands strong in Whyalla, South Australia. A unique meeting between two cultures Aboriginal Australian and Colombian. The public artwork honours both cultural heritages, calls upon unity between diverse people- with the utmost respect to the traditional custodians of this land.
The main elements weaving together this artwork are the different cultural iconographies, water or river-lands and an Aboriginal ‘gathering’ symbol incorporated by Aboriginal artist Scott in the middle.
Scott Rathman: “The two cultures come together in the middle at the meeting place where we sit together, share our story with each other and learn from each other. When wedo this we can come together with love. Behind me and my people sit my ancestors, who watch over me; as I travel across the land and sit with others I do so in the shadow of my people who walked before me, who laid the foundation for the opportunities I have.
This fish I incorporated is a significant animal to me as I have a really strong connection to water. The fish for me symbolises strong feelings of community yet also reflect elements of mystery. This is related to seeing only what you see on the surface yet when you take the time to explore the depths of a persons being you learn so much more about them and their existence.”
Katherine Gailer: “Inspired by Latin American ancestral iconography, I designed a mythical being (a hybrid between human and fish) that embodies a spirit of water. Hybrids are common expressions in Latin American visual imagery as a way to embody spirits of nature and tell stories about our ancestors.
This water spirit holds a strong meaning for me as an immigrant- as it is the mother river “Madre Río”, and the mother sea “Madre Mar” that always safeguard my connection to my roots in Colombia while I experience my Journey in Australia.
Other elements such flowers, patterns and a serpent (another strong symbol of spiritual strength and connection) are floating towards the meeting place where my people sit and greet with love Scott and his people, his ancestors and pay respect to the traditional owners of the Australian land.
Scott Rathman:
Special thanks to Sanaa Fest, Unearth Festival, Victoria Lewis and Oscar Alfonso Jimenez for making this collaboration possible.
