Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)


About our artwork

Search & Rescue 

Artist: Michael J Connolly (Munda-gutta Kulliwari) 
Creation Date: 25 August 2021 

Note: While an image of this work is not currently available, a description of the piece in the artist's own words follows.

The Art is a 3 in 1 piece. 

The top section is the sky which has a plane in Flight. 

The White lines are the Communication sound waves from the plane to the land and the Sea. 

The Middle section is the Land and is recognised by the red ochre of Australia. 

The land connects to the Aboriginal People. 

The trees and the shrubs are part of the country. 

The centre of the ground section is the symbol of a meeting place to discuss Business. 

The U design is people sitting down, the dot in the U is to recognise women. 

The U design with Spear and Boomerang are the Men (Hunters). 

The dot lines through the centre of the Meeting place are the connections to the Sky and the Sea. 

The Bottom Section is the Sea recognised by the Sea Turtle and Fish. The white lines are the communication sound waves connecting the Sky, The Land and the Sea. 

The Story is completed and comes together as one of communication to help everyone to achieve the outcomes in search and rescue. 

MICHAEL CONNOLLY (25/8/2021) 

About the Artist 

Michael Connolly is an Aboriginal from Charleville, south west Queensland. He is a descendant of the KullillI Tribe from the Thargomindah and Eulo region on his Father's side and from the Muruwari People from Goodooga and Brewarrina region of north-west New South Wales on his Mother's side (who can trace their traditional trade and diplomatic links with Central Desert as well as South Australian and Northern New South Wales' Aboriginal Communities). 

With this rich Indigenous background and a unique way of interpreting his cultural heritage Michael is able to represent a unique perspective in the visual and performing arts that informs his significant work in cross cultural contexts.