Jasmine Sarin
Artists biography
Jasmine is a proud Kamilaroi and Jerrinja woman of NSW, an emerging Aboriginal artist and graphic designer Jasmine is also the founder of JS Koori Designs (2012) which fuses together Aboriginal art and urban life in metropolitan NSW. Jasmine has been raised mainly on the South Coast in Nowra and Wollongong but has country influences from Coonabarabran in Central West NSW. Her artwork tells the story of her experiences growing up and the aim to bring contemporary methods and materials to one of the oldest cultures on earth. "I pay my respects to my elders both past and present and acknowledge that the land on which I work and play on was, is and always will be Aboriginal land". Jasmine is a painter and graphic designer and a firey in her spare time!
Current work and inspiration
Jasmine's current work in progress Gurugal, Yagu, Barrabugu (Past, Present, Future) forms one of the five Gadigal Wangal way finding artworks funded from the Stronger Communities Programme in 2016. The public art series celebrates Aboriginal culture and heritage in the inner west.
Jasmine's artwork is about knowing the past and respecting the cultural significance of Aboriginal history on these lands. "We are a part of this place. We all are. The Nuwi (canoe) represents the past. What was once a common sight and means of fishing, travelling and recreation. The nuwi, a strong symbol of local knowledge, enginuity and sustainable resources. This remarkable vessel is now something that may only ever be see in a museum, and no longer on the waters of Sydney Harbour and its connecting rivers. The Darwarang (shield) is symbolic of our present. We must protect what we have left of our cultural knowledge, of our languages, of our stories, our songs and our practices. We all must fight to keep it a part of our nation's story. The Yarra (eucalyptus) leaf is for our future. Something that seems so fragile on its own but is part of a mighty gum which bares the flames of many summer fires to flourish and grow stronger each season. This artwork is for all of us the share, to learn, to respect, and move forward together with the knowledge of tens of thousands of years of culture".
Jasmine's inspiration for this artwork is the absence of local cultural history and how to use the artwork to help educate, represent and respect the Gadigal an Wangal clans of the mighty Eora.
Gurugal, Yagu, Barrabugu will be installed at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park later in the year. For more information on the Gadigal Wangal wayfinding project please visit Council's website.
Website and social media links
website: www.jskooridesigns.com.au
instagram: @jskooridesigns
facebook: /jskooridesigns