National Reconciliation Week 2022: Mya’s story

“I did a commission for a lady earlier in the year,” she said. “When I told her the story about the meaning behind the painting, she just cried. And that’s why I do it. I didn’t know until I did the art program the impact that I can make. Now, I love every artwork I do. It’s the sense of the person’s reaction that gives me joy when doing it. I just want to help people. My goal in life is to help them and make them feel better.”​
 
“My art is colourful, and my medium is acrylic. I’m no longer experimenting with texture. The skills I’ve gained at QArt are incredible. It’s the little conversations that we have every now and then. For example, I told Gordon that I was thinking about buying an iPad. And he told me about these amazing apps that can go on the iPad and how far I can get with the technology and my art.”

“I’m trying to start my own business outside of work and just asking him what clear spray to use when finishing. Or what pens to use so that it doesn’t bleed. If it’s cheaper to buy a canvas or make it yourself.”
 
“I love coming to work, being in an environment where I can be myself, and a place where I can be professional. I’m living a dream.”

“When Gordon was like, ‘Hey Mya, the head of Endeavour Foundation just bought your painting and it’s going around Australia’, I was like ‘oh my god!’ Honestly, seeing it on lanyards and different places, it looks great.”

“I look up to a few Aboriginal artists. It’s amazing what they do. There’s a long way to go for Indigenous artists, like publishing people’s works from small communities. We still have a long way to go. We can support Indigenous artists by buying and promoting their work. The same goes for artists with disabilities.”

Visit the QArt website to support Mya or check out her Instagram to view her latest artworks.

You can also download our ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ guide here or change your Teams background to Mya’s artwork in your next online meeting. 

“I sought inspiration of what that kind of brave change might look like from many different people; people I know that are around me, people I see every day. And people I see living bravely every day in their own lives – from fierce little kids to older people working with more established mindsets and environments,“ Tori-Jay said.

“We can make a change. But we can’t do it alone. Be brave and start the conversation today.”