Cadigal is delighted to have recently completed the first stages of it’s Reconciliation Action Plan, now formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. As we commence the exciting first steps on our Reconciliation journey, we are grateful to Indigenous artist Jesse Sutton for providing the artwork we proudly sampled throughout our RAP document.
‘Malthaaya’, meaning ‘family’ in the Kalkadoon language, is Jesse’s interpretation of the many generations that have come before us and passed down knowledge, culture, traditions, history and bloodlines over the last 65,000 years. The community symbol at the centre of the piece represents communities and the place that knowledge is shared, which keeps us connected to our lands and each other.
Jesse Sutton is a proud young Kalkadoon man & contemporary Indigenous artist from Mount Isa, QLD, Australia. Jesse is part of a family of artists who are passionate about their culture & history, and want to share that with the world through their art.
Jesse has been painting from a very young age. He has won various art competitions both locally and nationally, and has sold his artworks to collectors from around the world. He has worked with local and Government departments to create stunning pieces and has collaborated with his sisters, renowned Aboriginal artists Brooke and Chern’ee Sutton, on several projects – all whilst still at school.
Jesse’s artworks have been commissioned by the Australian Defence Force, St. Lukes Anglican School, SKG Services, Centrecare and Local to name a few, and he has just launched his latest collaboration with SPENCIL, where his artwork has been used on a range of children’s school items including backpacks, pencil cases, book covers, and drink bottles. Jesse has also collaborated with QBD Books and Australian Geographic where his artwork has been used on an exclusive range of bags, cups, placemats and coasters.
Late in 2022, Jesse was invited to meet Her Excellency The Honourable Dr. Jeanette Young AC PSM Governor of Queensland, where he presented her one of his signature style paintings called ‘Medicine Leaves’. It now hangs proudly in Queensland Government House.