A Yorta Yorta woman from Flora Hill, south of Bendigo, has claimed victory in the 3D category of the Koorie Art Show.
Lorraine Brigdale, who lives on Dja Dja Wurrung country, weaves and uses homemade ochre paints in her work.
She said she was "a bit overwhelmed" but "very excited" when she found out she had won the award.
"Whenever I speak about my art I speak about my ancestors and whenever I speak about that I get teary," Brigdale said.
"But this time I managed to keep it together."
She said art from other Aboriginal nations inspired the award-winning work.
"Late last year I was thinking about the Pukumani Poles that are part of the Central Arnhem Land tradition for their burial ceremonies," Brigdale said.
"I decided to make these out of a woven stich that is a traditional Yorta Yorta stitch.
"This is about me paying respect to the longevity of Aboriginal culture in Australia and my connection to it."
Brigdale said the construction of the poles was a laborious process.
"The tallest one is about 60 centimetres in height, they're fairly big — it took me all year to make them," she said.
"They're decorated using my ochre paints and my botanical ink."
Brigdale's piece is on show at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne's Federation Square until February 2021.
Renewing connections
Brigdale said making her own paints from minerals and rocks she found in the area had changed her relationship with country.
"I've got a heap of commercial art supplies in my studio, and I don't touch them anymore," she said.
"I only work with natural paints and inks — I'm just not driven to use anything else.
"I find working with those natural products is such a satisfying, renewing feeling for me."
Brigdale said using products drawn directly from the country strengthened her affinity with the land.
"It's my connection with my country for sure," she said.
"It gives me peace, it helps me feel my country more strongly.
"My family's connection with the Yorta Yorta people and ancestors has been renewed in the last few years.
"As a child I didn't really know anything much about it — my grandmother was part of the Stolen Generation.
"It's really to important to all of my family that we make this reconnection.
"That connection is a soul connection — it's something that drives me to do the things that I do."
