Growth. The story behind our RAP Artwork.

As the TSA Reconciliation Working Group started work on our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), it was decided to commission an artwork that would represent TSA and our journey that could be incorporated into the document and displayed in one of our offices.

Having worked with several Aboriginal artists as part of our management of projects, a shortlist was drawn up with the working group selecting Jasmine Craciun, a Barkindji and Malyangapa artist and graphic designer living in Muluubinba. We are pleased to be able to share the artwork Growth, and the creative story behind the artwork with everyone digitally, with Growth proudly on display in the TSA Newcastle office, where Regional Manager Jason McCosker was able to bump elbows with Jasmin at the handover.

“My original concept in the creation of this work was to portray TSA Management as the largest centre circle with the smaller arms and circles being TSA consulting and liaising with the communities they are working within. Through the “arms” coming out from the main large circle I wanted to present TSA as a group that stretches not only across Australia but across the sea to New Zealand. The arms reach out to leave positive legacies in the communities TSA create.

Throughout the work the symbol for people are evident. In the centre of the largest circle, these gathered people signify TSA bringing everyone to the table. This is not only on a daily basis with their large network of industry peers and colleagues, but also through their commitment to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within their business.

The concentric circles represent the collection and sharing of information and commitment to continual learning and improving cultural awareness. This symbol is in the centre of this circle as it is a founding feature to a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for all.

The blue circles connected by the yellow lines that outline this scene are an abstract representation of a chain representing the core of TSA becoming strengthened due to the implementation of these actions.

The flower shaped symbol that is at the end of the “chain” represents TSA being a part of events that help their local communities bloom through education, health, research and community initiatives.

While the circles represent TSA’s consultation and engagement with local communities. The outer two circles also represent the local Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters within TSA’s operational areas. This is shown again through the symbolism of people gathering. This time the gathered people represent the local Aboriginal communities being able to give insight to TSA which in turn allows for a stronger more inclusive work environment and work outcomes.

The lines within these circles aim to represent the ridges and contours of a map and aims to show the work that TSA have undertaken to overlay their projects with the respective traditional custodians of the land and waters they are working on. Within the lines are the extra aspects of history and understanding gained through the consultation and collaboration with Aboriginal people, communities and stakeholders.

Surrounding the main artwork is a yellow vine. As this work is created to be hung in the Newcastle office I wanted to bring a little bit of a Newcastle reference into the work. This vine is a bit of a feature in my Newcastle works as it represents the sea fern that Newcastle was originally named after in Awabakal language – “Muluubinba”. I also aimed for this vine to be representative of growth and the continued work and development that will come over the next few years with TSA’s updated RAP document.”

Growth was featured in our recent NAIDOC Week 2020 event, Agents of Change, and has been incorporated in our Innovate RAP which is currently with Reconciliation Australia for endorsement.