ZANE SAUNDERS | 'Measuring Stick' | 2026 | Acrylic on Panel

"When our Country and the environment are healthy and happy, so are our people. When we abandon Country and its flora and fauna, we all suffer. We, along with the animals, plants and the environment, are the ‘Custodians of Country’. This piece explores the cultural landscape of Far North Queensland. The circles mark sites of cultural practice I have encountered on my life journey. The work depicts governing structures with multiple points of knowledge, forming a foundation for deeper cultural understanding. This understanding situates everything within the landscape, fostering strong relationships with place. The animals symbolise connections with ancestors, linking identity to totemic icons and the land they inhabit. They represent the custodial identity of a place and the presence of ancestors within the landscape. Overall, the patterns resemble an aerial map of Far North Queensland’s population centres, shown by coloured rings surrounded by symbols for ‘bunda’ mountains, the coast, waterfalls, and the Great Barrier Reef. The work also incorporates creative play in representing the environment, blending personal perspectives with totemic relationships."

ZANE SAUNDERS | 'Measuring Stick' | 2026 | Acrylic on Panel