It was a real back to where it all started moment for Logan-based First Nations artist Stevie O’Chin when she designed uniforms for not-for-profit Carinity.
A past student of Carinity Education Southside at Sunnybank, it was in the campus’ art room where O’Chin developed and nurtured her love for art.
When given the opportunity she jumped at the chance to be a part of the designing of the uniform as employees began embracing the new Indigenous-themed polo shirt as part of their work uniform.
Since graduating from the school in 2016, O’Chin has exhibited at Birrunga Gallery in Brisbane City, which specialises in art by Indigenous Australian creatives, and sold artwork to collectors around Australia and overseas.
She says her design for the unisex Carinity Indigenous-themed polo shirt incorporates themes such as community, human connection, and God’s love.
“Circles and lines represent the many services that interconnect through Carinity’s core values of creating communities where people are loved, accepted, and supported to reach their full potential,” O’Chin said.
“The yellow dots and connecting lines depict the attributes of God’s love that characterise His compassion, patience, protectiveness, sacrificing, kindness, understanding, forgiveness, and gentleness.
“The lines between the interconnected services represent Carinity staff bridging the divide in all services through their respect, care, and support.”
Carinity’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Brett Maunder, said the organisation is “delighted to pay tribute to and honour First Nations people and Indigenous Australian culture”
He said the Indigenous polo shirts were devised with the support and input of First Nations people who work for Carinity.
“As well as numerous staff members around Queensland who identify as Indigenous Australians, many service users and students who attend Carinity Education schools are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds,” he said.
“This includes our young people at Carinity Education Shalom in Townsville, of which 92% are Indigenous Australians.
At other Carinity Education schools the percentage of First Nations students sits between 19% and 40%”
He said the new unisex polo has been a popular addition to the Carinity uniform catalogue.
O’Chin is a proud Aboriginal artist of the Kabi Kabi, Waka Waka & Koa tribe on her father’s side, and Yuin Nation on her mother’s side.
Her paintings are inspired by her surroundings and the stories told by her parents and family elders.
She hails from a large family; many whom are artists from both her parents’ side and was influenced from a young age from watching her family members.
Now carving her own path she has grown into an accomplished artist in her own right, becoming the second participant in Birrunga Gallery’s 3-year Cultural Creative Residential program.
