A Djab Wurrung descendant from the Grampians region, Stawell’s Heidi Chatfield incorporates the rich cultural landscape, rock art sites and stories of local Indigenous people into her artworks.
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Heidi’s latest venture was designing the Swifts Football Club’s 2017 Indigenous round guernsey.
The jumper is called Kuurae Dreamtime and represents the Djab Wurrung warrior spirits watching over the kangaroos’ journey to the sacred waterhole.
Heidi said she was thrilled with the final outcome.
“I am really happy with how it turned out, it looks great,” she said.
“The club asked me to draw up a design at the start of the year so I did and sent it in.
“I also chose the colours and the club got it made, so here we are.”
The contemporary Indigenous artist whose paintings reflect the history and stories of her heritage has had her work displayed in exhibitions.
“I love getting my artworks out there,” she said.
“People who have come to see my artworks has even lead to other projects, so it is very exciting.”
Heidi’s last exhibit was at Lake Bolac for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week.
She said she has always been passionate in the arts and wants to continue developing her work.
“I just really love painting,” she said.
“It is my passion and I want to keep creating new artworks.”
Heidi’s former school principal at Stawell Secondary Nick Lynch said he had watched Heidi’s talents progress and was very proud of her achievements.
“It is very exciting and shows our local people can achieve at the highest level,” he said.
Heidi also designed last year’s Indigenous round guernsey for the Swifts and co-created Stawell Secondary’s Aboriginal mural with sister Chelsea.
“Heidi valued her time at school and really used it to develop her talents,” Mr Lynch said.
“It is great to see her achieving big things at such a young age.”