NBL21 Indigenous Jersey: Q&A with Artist Heather Kennedy

Indigenous Australian artist Heather Kennedy designed South East Melbourne Phoenix’s NBL21 Indigenous Round jersey and spoke to Phoenix Media about her incredible artwork.

Tell us about your background.

I’m multi-clan; Trawalaway in Tasmania and Bunurong here in Victoria.

I’ve been painting for over 35 years. It takes a long time to establish yourself and become recognised, and I’m still learning.

What did you think when you were asked to design our Indigenous Round jersey?

I just though this is great…I was really excited about it. I was always going to put 110 per cent into it because I wanted it to be perfect.

It was a privilege to design the jersey because to be asked to design something for any sports association is a big deal.

Talk us through the beautiful design on our Indigenous Round jersey we’re wearing against Cairns tonight.

I thought of how us as Aboriginal people come together – we always meet in a circle. We have our families, extended families, communities, elders…so the whole idea of the design was incorporating all of that.

The first circle represents elders sitting and talking. You can interpret that as being coaches meeting and working out what’s going out with a game.

The second circle with everyone holding hands is about community and family all coming together to support each other and look after each other. That’s how I see most sports clubs, that you’re welcomed in as part of a family, you become a family. You all look out for each other, whether it’s coaches, management, players.

The third circle on the outside is about our ancestors looking over us, protecting us, guiding us and looking after our physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, and just making sure everyone is okay. It’s the same as any sports team, that’s how I see it – you’ve got those people above you who you look up to and who will mentor you and look out for you to make sure you’re coping okay.

How does it make you feel to have your artwork represented on the national stage in such a special round?

If I could get to the game, I’d probably have a bit of a tear in my eye. I’d get quite emotional about it.

It’s a very proud moment for me. I kind of look at it as this is the beginning of more and getting more of my designs out there.

When I saw it finished, I was just blown away. I was like, ‘oh my god, I did that’.

I’m very humbled to be asked and that my name was put forward.

How important are initiatives like Indigenous Round in sport and society?

I think it’s really important for our people.

It’s really important to recognise our young ones and older ones who are playing any sort of sport, whether it’s at junior level or in the big league.

It’s really important to acknowledge that our people are on the same level, not being left behind.

I see it as a good start to acceptance and wiping out racism which we still know exists, but slowly things are getting better and better.

Once upon a time this would never have happened. I just think we’re moving forward, it’s baby steps but we’re getting there.

Phoenix Media (28/05/2021)