‘Vibrant Rising’: Celebrating artist Emily Reid

Last week, Aurora launched the First Nations Cancer Scholarship (Scholarship) to support Indigenous health professionals and researchers studying in a cancer-related field. The $5.9 million investment for the Scholarship is funded by the Australian Government through Cancer Australia.

To capture the spirit of the Scholarship, we commissioned a new digital artwork and logo from Gamillaroi, Wuthathi, and Meriam artist, Emily Reid, who created the piece ‘Vibrant Rising’.

We commissioned Gamillaroi, Wuthathi, and Meriam artist Emily Reid to create the piece ‘Vibrant Rising’. 

Emily is based in Meanjin and grew up on Yugambeh Country on the Gold Coast, Queensland. She has been drawing, painting, and sketching since she was a child. Emily is now working with Toni Janke Productions, where she produces Indigenous artworks for a wide range of clients. Her work uses colourful designs and weaves together different cultural elements, to create pieces that bring First Nations stories and journeys to life.

Sharing why she feels the Scholarship is important, Emily said:

“The First Nations Cancer Scholarship is so important to help fund cancer research projects as well as allowing First Nations practitioners the opportunity to make a significant contribution in this important area of health and wellbeing, especially for our families and communities.”

‘Vibrant Rising’ tells the story of the journey to success from a First Nations contemporary artistic perspective. Emily used a colour palette of pink, fuchsia, orange, yellow, blue, and sage green to invoke feelings of energy, boldness, success, and excellence, uniquely capturing the purpose of the Scholarship. On why she chose this colour palette, Emily said:

“I deliberately chose vibrant colours which were uplifting and positive that would attract and connect with people, despite the fact that the subject matter is quite sombre and serious.”

The large circle represents the sun as the vibrant rising, sacred and eternal life-giving source of energy. The yellow lines also represent the flowing rays of hope. The smaller circles represent people coming together, moving through life’s journey across the burnt orange land.

Pastel blue signifies water and its healing and cleansing properties. It also acknowledges the artist’s connection to her mother’s people and the importance of saltwater through her ancestral connection to Cape York and the Torres Strait (Wuthathi, Yadighana and Meriam). The blue and fuchsia dots also symbolise connection.

The yellow-coloured tracks and emu footprints represent movement and the journey, ascending forwards and upwards, ever moving, consistent and purposeful. The emu or ‘dinawan’ tracks are used by the artist to honour her cultural heritage and totem of her father’s people, the Gamilaroi people of NSW.

“I wanted to create a work that was fluid and vibrant. I am proud of my ancestry as a First Nations artist and draw on my own cultural connections to express light, hope and joy in my designs.”

‘Vibrant Rising’ tells a story of life, healing, and success. We are proud to have Emily’s work representing the journey that Scholarship recipients will be taking towards creating better outcomes for First Nations people and increasing the number of Indigenous people working in cancer fields at the highest level.