This is a good story
- Written by: Michelle Kerrin
Michelle Kerrin ©
Authentic Leaders Group had the privilege of welcoming Michelle Kerrin, a proud Arrernte artist, to document our most recent immersion experience in Uluru.
Michelle captured our journey through painting, telling a story of our time together on this sacred land, and an explanation of her art is outlined below. A special thank you to Michelle for her time, friendship and talent in bringing this extraordinary and special piece to us and the participants.
"Ayeye Nhenhe mwerre anthurre" - Arrernte / “This is a good story” - English
This story is about coming together on this special wun country. The Ancestors follow and guide you into these sacred spaces. It’s a new place for many, but maybe this wun is the start of a new journey.
The centre circles are connected, they are the meeting places. These places represent the travel to new beginnings. They are places where the body gets to stop, the red dirt restores the things that need to be fixed or cared for, the breeze brings this fresh sense of hope, and the landscape whispers the songs of the land. When you stop to hear, feel and see this beauty, you realise that maybe there’s more to it than just us.
The circles on the bottom left represent all the souls and spirits on the journey. The outside connections are the stories told between each other. Maybe they are with new people in your life, or maybe they are stories your closet people never knew.
The little circle encompassed by the larger circle, which are kept safe, are the Two Am I’s. They are the parts of ourselves in which have become part of this bigger journey, but they are protected – sacred stories.
The top right are the fellas of Authentic Leaders Group. They are the storytellers – the connectors. The reason, the heart and soul behind the story, but only a small part of it.
The bottom right hand corner are the pieces of the journey that help enhance the story. They bring their own insights and expertise which brings a certain depth.
This story is only a short moment in time, but it captures the voices and spirits of the people, and the land. This might only happen once for you, only a moment of your life on this special country, yet it is one you will treasure forever.
Let the spirits of this country guide you, the lores teach you, and the people remain with you.
This is the story of Uluru.
This is a good story.
Michelle Kerrin, November 2022