About the artists

Alanna Rose approached Merrie Hamilton after seeing her work in a Sydney gallery in 1996. Alanna being an Aboriginal painter/ designer and Merrie being a white potter it was perfect opportunity to collaborate their skills. Merrie, also keen to design with Alanna, collectively worked together with the Aboriginal people and have operated together ever since.

About the Brooches

There are five brooch designs, named by Alanna’s Aunties. Mother Earth, Women’s Healing, Teaching Children, Women’s Ceremony and Women’s Travel.

Mother Earth is a creation story. The central circle is the ceremony site where women perform spiritual ritual for the replenishment and rejuvenation of our sacred earth.

Woman’s Healing is about the spiritual healing of Aboriginal women. Women are often the spiritual healers in many communities. It is through their strength and knowledge that they unite the family unit. The power of women in Aborigine society is strong.

Teaching Children is about the older women passing down the history of culture and spirituality to Aboriginal children. The children are taught about their connection tot eh land and to respect the wisdom of out Elders. The Elders hold all the knowledge and teach the children by telling them the stories of the dreamtime.

Women’s Ceremony is about the special ceremonies in which only women participate. Women’s business is discussed and decisions are made. Special dancers, music and songs are preformed about the cycle of women’s lives. The ceremonies are about the strength of Aboriginal women and their sisters.

Women’s Travel is about the spiritual journey of women. The three stages of a women’s life cycle – her birth, the birth of her child and going back to the land – our spiritual mother. The story is about a safe journey in travel and in life.

Each piece has pure gold or platinum applied to its surface in a final luster firing. Alanna provides the design symbols and titles the final works according to their meaning in her culture. Merrie interpreted and arranges the symbols and continues to experiment with colour and ceramic techniques to combine Celtic and Aboriginal concepts.