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Dugong Family

“This painting represents family networks — mothers and fathers with their young.
The blue represents the ocean and warm waters.
The white represents the lifeline and purity.
The green represents the food.”

— Anthia Matsumoto

This artwork invites the viewer into the world of salt-water Country — the sea animals, the tides, the reefs, the mangroves, the hunting, the gathering, and the guardianship of coast and sea. The artist portrays fish, turtles, rays, dolphins, dugongs, sharks, crustaceans and shellfish, weaving together the patterns of sea-grass, coral, tidal flats, beach and reef.

It tells of families fishing off the beach, children diving in shallow waves, spear hunting, crabbing and catching prawns. It also speaks of wildlife protection — respectful harvesting, ensuring sea animals remain healthy, sea-ranger work and cultural practice.

With flowing patterns, deep blues and turquoise, shell shapes, wave forms and animal tracks, the work echoes the movement of water, tides and life beneath the waves. The artist invites us to listen to the tide, recognise the connection between land, sea, animal and people, and remember that to harvest is also to care — leaving Country strong for those who come next.