All One Country - Ajarku Muruu

By Chern’ee Sutton                
Age – 24 years          
Size – 151cm wide X 61cm high
Medium – Acrylic and textured acrylic on canvas   

All One Country - Ajarku Muruu

My name is Chern’ee Sutton and I am a contemporary Indigenous artist from the Kalkadoon people from the Mount Isa area in Queensland. 

This painting is called Ajarku Muruu which means All One Country and it celebrates the diverse lands that make up Australia and the many people and animals that call each region home. Every section of the canvas represents a different part of Country, from the coastlines and rivers to the deserts, rainforests and mountains, each one unique, yet all connected.

At the heart of the painting is the large community symbol. This represents all of us coming together, standing as one community regardless of where we come from or the Country we belong to. The smaller community symbols throughout the artwork show our individual journeys and the many paths we have travelled. They reflect the places that have shaped us, the people we’ve walked alongside and the stories we carry.

Flowing through the artwork is the Rainbow Serpent, representing our proud and ancient culture and the deep history that connects every part of Australia. His movement weaves the landscapes together, reminding us that we are all part of something far older and greater than ourselves.

The animals throughout the piece honour the many creatures that live across the lands, each one belonging to its own environment, yet all part of the same Country. Together, they remind us of the richness, diversity and beauty of the place we call home.

Ajarku Muruu is a celebration of unity, identity and connection. It honours the idea that no matter where our journeys begin, we are all woven into the story of this land, All One Country.