Journey has at all times held a spot in artist Rachael Sarra’s coronary heart, not only for the brand new sights, however for the deep connections and artwork it sparks inside her. Final 12 months, she collaborated with Intrepid to plan a particular version of Intrepid’s Nice Ocean Street & Grampians journey completely for fellow First Nations creatives. It was greater than only a journey, it was a celebration of their cultural heritage and the bond between journey and creativity.
As an artist and designer, I’m deeply influenced by my experiences. My artistic course of began as an escape in a option to really feel a way of calm. So, my work actually is an extension of issues I’m grappling with. Over time, I’ve come to know and actually admire the worth of journey in my work. This journey was no completely different.
I collaborated with Intrepid to construct this journey, which gave me an opportunity to convey collectively a few of my favourite First Nations creatives, lots of whom are pricey mates. It’s uncommon to journey with such a gaggle, and it highlighted the significance of neighborhood and connection in our artistic processes. This made the journey extra significant. We laughed, informed tales and impressed one another in ways in which solely a shared cultural expertise can.
Beginning in Melbourne, our group of six creatives, together with Izzy, our First Nations chief, set out on an journey that took us by means of a number of the most breathtaking landscapes Australia has to supply. We stopped at iconic places like Hanging Rock, Apollo Bay and the Grampians. Every cease alongside the best way wasn’t only a place to see, however a supply of reflection.
One of many highlights was our go to to Budj Bim, a web site with immense cultural significance. The primary UNESCO World Heritage Website recognised for its Aboriginal cultural significance, Budj Bim was inspiring. Not in a artistic manner, however from the sense of understanding the worth in locations like that. Whereas the go to hasn’t but manifested in a particular piece of artwork for me, it strengthened my sense of id and delight, reminding me of the power and resilience of our individuals.
Being uncovered to experiences like that may manifest in creativity down the observe. Till that occurs, it’s simply been actually particular as a First Nations lady to see that represented on an Intrepid itinerary.
The conversations we had whereas travelling had been simply as impactful because the locations themselves. The quote “It’s not at all times in regards to the vacation spot, however the journey” resonated with me all through the journey. I really feel like that’s actually the fantastic thing about Intrepid; it’s completely different each time and also you don’t know what you’re going to get. However I at all times belief the expertise will convey out what wants to come back out in that journey.
Wanting again, this journey was a therapeutic for all of us. It’s very uncommon that you simply get to expertise journey the place you’re round mob and simply yarning. Exploring these landscapes collectively was enjoyable too. The place ever you go together with Intrepid, you’ll be able to belief there’s going to be one thing stunning that comes out of it.
Rachael was joined by Keisha Leon (Trigger + Have an effect on), Kim Engwicht (Krae Designs), Toby Bishop (Yukupin) and Josh Scott (The C Wolf). They travelled as visitors of Intrepid on the Nice Ocean Street & Grampians Journey.