FITZROY CROSSING MURAL HONOURS ELDERS AND YOUTH CONNECTION

By Tangiora Hinaki

Acclaimed mural artist Lavinia Letheby has returned to Fitzroy Crossing to create a powerful new public artwork that celebrates culture, country and intergenerational learning.

Letheby, who runs Art by Lavinia, said her inspiration came from the deep connections between Elders and young people in the Kimberley.

“For me, it was about the young ones learning from the Elders, learning from their mothers, their aunties, the older siblings. That’s such a strong part of culture, and I thought it would be a lovely thing to showcase in the murals,” she said.

On the women’s side of the mural, Letheby painted the hands of an Elder holding lumby lumby bush medicine, three women known for their bush medicine and fishing knowledge, and a young girl whose features are drawn from several children to represent all of the community’s young people.

“Everything that’s on there is actually painted from photographs that I took,” she explained. “The three ladies in the middle live out at community and go fishing all the time. I thought having them together in a photo would be beautiful to have them on there.”

On the men’s side, portraits include respected Elders Andrew Shanley and Johnny Naga, along with images of cultural leaders like Mervyn Street, who is well known for taking kids out on country.

“Andrew really wanted his photo taken on his property in front of his mountain. He said when he’s not here anymore, his grandchildren will still be able to see it and know that culture and be proud of it,” Letheby said.

For Letheby, the project was about more than just paint on a wall. It was a way of honouring community stories, creating a cultural legacy, and sparking pride in the younger generations.