Yorta Yorta, Turtle Travels

Acrylic on stretched canvas.

This artwork evokes the land and sites near the Murray River of the Yorta Yorta, Mhutti, Mhutti and Latje Latje peoples of Victoria, and in this work, artist Craig Charles tells the inherited story of hunting in Yorta Yorta Country.

Thick, textured and layered application of acrylic paint depicts the traditional and significant travels of the Long Neck Turtles and their nesting sites, upon which the relatives of the artist educated and initiated him in the traditional aspects of Yorta Yorta life. The Long Neck Turtle is the main totem for the Yorta Yorta. The green colouration symbolises the artist's homelands and the adjoining lines are the journey of the turtles and the Yorta Yorta and Latje Latje ancestors across the lands.

"This is my Grandfather's birthplace... My Country; as I junt and walk this land, I am connected to the mighty Murray River and to my ancestors. This place gives respect to the Long Neck Turtle and all biotic life. I am on a personal journey also, by my people are always with me" – Craig Charles