Ashfield Uniting Church in Sydney has unveiled Indigenous Stations of the Cross, offering one of Christianity’s longstanding traditions through a First Nations lens.
The installation features work by the late Christian Kukatja artist Matthew Tjupurrula Gill, who reimagined the final journey of Jesus through Indigenous artwork and visual symbolism.
The drawings depict Jesus as an emu spirit and invite reflection on suffering, hope, healing, Country and reconciliation.
Gomeroi and Wakka Wakka Elder and church parishioner Aunty Shirley Lomas unveiled the work with Reverend Bill Crews to mark the start of NAIDOC Week.
For Ms Lomas, the installation showed how First Nations spirituality and Christianity could sit together.
“To me, it meant a great deal because it meant that our spirituality and Christianity walked hand in hand,” Ms Lomas said.
“Matthew Gill was a devout Christian.”
The display also carried a broader message for the church community and people who use services run on site.
“It’s reconciliation on display and our time to shine,” Ms Lomas said.
“It’s about celebrating the world’s oldest living culture.”
Ms Lomas also credited Rev Crews for giving space to the work and to Aboriginal community members connected to the church.
The installation is intended to ensure Mr Gill’s artwork can be seen in a place of worship and not separated from the Christian faith that helped shape it.
The work will remain on display at Ashfield Uniting Church.
Source: National Indigenous Times