First Nations stakeholders
The topic of sexual consent is highly sensitive and emotional. It can be hard to yarn about because we might not understand it and feel shame and stigma about not having all the answers. Questions like ‘can consent be taken away?’ can be confusing.
Our kids and young people look to parents, family and community to help show them what healthy and strong relationships look like. It’s not easy, but by us all learning more about sexual consent and yarning about it, we’re better placed to help them do this.
So, let’s start the conversation. Because Consent Can’t Wait.
Consent Can’t Wait by Emma Hollingsworth
About Emma
Emma Hollingsworth is a Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u, Girramay woman who grew up in tropical Far North Queensland. She now operates in Meanjin (Brisbane) out of her home studio. Her work is a reflection of her heritage and her culture, and she uses vibrant colours and designs to pay homage to her youthfulness blending with her ancient culture. Her work tells her own story of a young First Nations woman growing up and paving a path in a modern world, and all the trials and tribulations that go in hand with that.
About the artwork
This artwork symbolises people coming together as a community to help and uplift those who need it. It shows the inner strength people have to empower themselves to heal, to learn, and to determine their own worth and their own story, so that they might have hope for a better future.
The mountains represent connection to Country, and that power and strength that comes in recognising that.
The Big u shape with the little u shape represents a young person and a person of good influence who is teaching them the right way. The other u shapes represent community.
The lines within the artwork represent the journey we need to go on as a community to learn what consent truly means and how we can teach others and practise it ourselves.