Behind the DR.STRICT x Mustard Flat Reconciliation Day takeover
We spoke with digital artist Delilah Waugh
Make sure to follow her work here
As part of Reconciliation Day Mustard Flats invited Canberra artist Delilah Waugh aka dr.strict to takeover and design a piece for the flats. The piece is inspired by the idea of coming together as one mob, a self portrait. “I really feel empowerment when I draw myself with pieces of my Indigenous culture, it’s one of the ways I feel connected to my mob.” This piece, like many in the series, features the signature gold serpent, her take on the Rainbow Serpent from the creation story in The Dreaming.
“One Mob” by Delilah Waugh
Mustard Flats - Has your art helped you connect with your indigenous roots and connect with culture?
Delilah Waugh - I wasn't around the indigenous side of my family much growing up and I was reluctant to learn when I was young due to resentment of my father for leaving, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve come to appreciate how special my culture is. I cherish the stories I hear and it excites me to explore more about my roots.
I feel most connected with my culture when I'm creating. My art is a big reason why I want to learn more about my ancestors. The more I discover, the more excited I am to tell my own stories through my art. Sometimes I feel like I’m channelling my ancestors through my work and don’t even realise the story I’ve created until I’m done.
Their values and the way they treat the earth and each other is incredibly inspiring to me, and I am grateful everyday to be a part of this ancient and beautiful culture.
all images by @dr.strictMF - Your art features strong, brave and powerful people in your life, often exploring the feminine and the supernatural. Who inspires you and your art?
DW - There are a variety of people that inspire my art. My mother is my biggest inspiration in terms of taking power of my femininity which I try to convey in most of my pieces. She’s a spiritual person and has always encouraged me to be curious and creative, always thinking outside the box. My love of the supernatural comes from my curiosity of myths and legends. I feel connected to certain stories, especially the Dreamtime.
Album cover by @dr.strict for RacRilaMy partner is my super soldier of support for my art and has always inspired me to be more. He gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for creating, helped me to acquire the tools to bring my ideas to life and the guidance I needed to start. I know that I can always rely on him for advice especially because he is an incredibly creative and talented person and he understands my vision so I trust his opinions.
MF - You have collaborated with many local artists on their projects including album covers, design and typography. What is it like working with them and who would you want to work with most?
DW - I honestly love working with other creatives, helping people bring their vision to life is something I cherish and makes me feel full. Bouncing ideas off each other to create something we can be proud of is the most fulfilling thing for me.
I would really like to be a part of the Burrunju Art Gallery. They are a gallery for local Aboriginal people where they give them a space to create and express themselves through art and provide them with an avenue to sell their art. I absolutely love clothes and fashion so I would be down to work with The Minority Co, which is a Aboriginal owned clothing brand.
MF - What inspired your piece for Mustard Flats and Reconciliation Day?
“My piece for Mustard Flats was inspired by coming together as one mob, hence the title - One Mob.”
DW - It has been a long, hard road to get to the place we are now as a nation, but with all the opportunities to show people who we are and what it means to be Aboriginal. I feel as though the country is starting to come together and realise we aren’t so separate from each other. Although there is a long way to go in terms of true equality for our indigenous brothers and sisters, I can see the road there being paved
@dr.strict on Instagram
Delilah Waugh donated her time for this project so we wanted to pass on our budget to Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) and encourage you to donate at https://www.alsnswact.org.au/ this Reconciliation Week.
