Sharing her culture's story, in art and on Country, is an "amazing gift" for Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker.
Creating works under the name 'Murrup Art', Ms Oldaker, based in Ballarat, is playing a huge part when Sunnyside, a community-centred, multi arts event takes over her hometown for the first time from November 6.
In collaboration with acclaimed British artist Morag Myerscough, known internationally for her bold and bright public installations and engagement with the local community, Ms Oldaker has contributed fabric pieces to hang in one of the city's laneways, designs informed by workshops held with around 30 Ballarat locals.
"It'll be really exciting to be able to share that with the community and see their work come to life," she told National Indigenous Times.
As Murrup Art, Ms Oldaker utilised bright palettes, not dissimilar to those preferred by Ms Myerscough.
"I like to think of it as more of a contemporary style of Indigenous artwork," Ms Oldaker said of her work.
"Morag work is very colourful and vibrant as well, so I think it's the perfect mixture together.
"She has a very unique style...geometric shapes and bright colours. I always think it's a bit like you're looking in a kaleidoscope.
"And my work itself, it's definitely very colourful, very vibrant. I take a lot of inspiration from the traditional marks and symbols from the dreamtime and Wadawurrung Country itself."
In addition to providing the fabrics, Ms Oldaker will sit down with community members at Sunnyside to facilitate a workshop titled 'Colour and Storytelling', which invites participants to try their hand at creating vibrant works while learning about Wadawurrung culture and history.
Her work will also be on display at pop-up stores as part of Sunnyside, as well as reimagining town flags throughout the city.
Sunnyside takes over Ballarat from November 6-23 with a variety of ticketed and free events.
Morag Myerscough's installation 'Chasing Sunbeams' sits high on the program.
It's the UK artist's first regional major scale exhibition in Australia.
For Ms Oldaker, her engagement with art started young after being taught her craft by family.
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Previously a microbiologist, Ms Oldaker has been able to return to her creative pursuits through Murrup Art to share her culture with others.
Murrup is the Wadawurrung word for spirit, with the name given to her by her Elders.
"I think being able to represent Wadawurrung, represent my mom, represent my family, and to be able to tell our stories and share our culture and history and heritage with everyone is an amazing gift to be able to share," she said of her work being showcased in her hometown and on Country," she said of involvement in Sunnyside.
"And I think there's obviously a certain responsibility that comes with that as well.
"I'm sharing, you know, the stories from my ancestors and my elders through my work.
"I definitely think art is a fantastic way to do that. It's definitely a vehicle for change and conversation and to bring my Aboriginal heritage and Wadawurrung itself to the forefront of the conversation.
"And hopefully bring about those flow on conversations as well, like reconciliation and a lot of other things that we hopefully want to work towards."
Ms Oldaker said her connection to ancestors and dreamtime is felt strongly through her art.
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Award-winning creative studio, The Social Crew, with offices in London and Naarm, have helped Sunnyside come to Ballarat.
Local mayor Tracey Hargreaves said the event promises a "bold celebration of creativity and community".
Ms Oldaker said of people seeing her artwork art Sunnyside: "If they just take away one word or one symbol or just one piece of education from it about Wadawurrung culture and heritage, or Aboriginal culture, then I think that I've done, you know, my job."
"I think I've done something to contribute to the future. So that's the main idea - spreading education and growth for the community.
"But I also just want people to enjoy it. Hopefully, the name says it all Sunnyside. I want people to feel the color and the vibrancy and the community spirit of Ballarat and to bring people together."
