COREEN READING | ‘Kunawunawuru Bardaka Bangaa – My Unborn Child in The Form of The Turtle’ | Painting / acrylic on linen board

"In our culture, we believe that nature will give us a sign to indicate a child is coming into the world. This 'sign' will be given to a close family member, often prior to the woman even knowing that she is pregnant; it is often in the form of an uncanny event involving nature.

The child's birth or the child themselves may also display a link connecting them to that story. The child is also taught this story and reminded to respect their sign.

This painting is the story of my daughter. My partner was fishing off Townsville with his best mate, they managed to somehow catch a baby turtle; this turtle became entangled in their lines and it took them much effort to release the baby. We discovered my pregnancy not long later, it was complicated as I suffered polyhydramnios and there is a real chance of my baby being born tangled in the umbilical cord. Olivia is now a very vibrant child, who is named after her birth 'sign' Bangaa

COREEN READING |  ‘Kunawunawuru Bardaka Bangaa – My Unborn Child in The Form of The Turtle’ | 2022 | Acrylic on linen board | 40.6 x 30.5 cm