Media

I spoke with Will Tate of Knox Immerse about the inspiration behind 'Wala Yapaneyeput', a legacy to my great-grandmother, Yarmuk of the Ulupna Tribe. The piece is currently being displayed at Knox Skate Park. Listen to the full interview here.

Simone Thomson – Wala Yapaneyeput, Water Together | Knox

'Dancing with Creation' is a Reconciliation project developed by the Maroondah City Council in collaboration with Mullum-Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, Robert Young, Chris Hume and myself for Ringwood East's Activation Program. Here's a video about the creation proces and story behind the mural.  

https://youtu.be/DUo2BjpAETE

In late March 2021, 120 traditional owners from 40 different First People’s groups spent five days at the National First People’s Gathering on Climate Change in Cairns (Australia). Speaking on the impact of the climate crisis on First People, Gavin Singleton from the Yirrganydji traditional owners explained that ‘From changing weather patterns to shifts in natural ecosystems, climate change is a clear and present threat to our people and our culture’.

My late Aunty Hyllus Maris features in this month's newsletter along with my piece 'Awakening' dedicated in her honour. Read the remaining article and newsletter here.

https://thetricontinental.org/newsletterissue/34-climate-crisis/

Very happy to be featured on Business Chicks' article supporting 10 Aboriginal Women's Businesses during this year's NAIDOC. Read more here.

https://businesschicks.com/first-nations-businesses/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=138941840&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--9mnC-EI2Zwrq1Cn5PPXb8GLI_gJzhY9WckfztTT5UgNZD6YUCFYKyjr_gGtDLc_-DQb5xetVLa0Dcc7ElpN37qn-0pvs9VO-3TbcpIk9dv687rzg&utm_content=138941840&utm_source=hs_email

I recently spent time with the students of Melton Specialist School embedding Aboriginal Culture in the visual form by a series of student aided murals. Read more here.

https://meltonss.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/03.06.21.pdf

Part of the celebration of Indigenous Round for all eight Super Netball clubs is the Indigenous Round dress. Here are the stories behind each of them.

https://supernetball.com.au/news/indigenous-round-2021-story-behind-dresses

I was very lucky to create a lovely big piece for the new VCAT premises in Bundoora recently. My piece now sits in one of the culturally safe Hearing Rooms along with other Aboriginal artifacts. Watch the interview here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4dHHN2B9Ew

 I recently designed the cultural gift exchange for Carlton Football Club to be handed over to the Sydney Swans during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Read more about the meaning of the shield its symbol of strength here.  

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/945823/the-meaning-behind-the-shield 

My mother, Aunty Zeta Thomson, has had her art 'Mookies Around the Waterhole' designed on one of Melbourne's iconic trams. The vinyl wrapped tram can be seen around the city and will be spreading culture for the next twelve months. 

https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/news/melbournes-first-nations-designed-art-trams-have-been-unveiled-052421

I spoke with the lovely Roslyn from Eltham Library about my recent mural created for their children's garden. I wanted to give the space some colour whilst retaining the earthy bush feel of the surrounds. It was important for me to convey the local ancestor spirits of Bunjil and Waa to the up and coming generations.  

https://www.yprl.vic.gov.au/blogs/eltham-s-dreaming-mural/

I joined the inquisitive Grade 2 cohort of Essex Heights Primary School in Mount Waverley for a NAIDOC discussion on Aboriginal art and culture. The students showed respect and genuine interest in the meaning of our symbols and the language of our art to be incorporated in their upcoming art unit.

https://www.essexheightsps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/1606782108contact_issue_24_2020_november_27.pdf 

'Winyar Mugadjina - Women's Track of Foot' Indigenous Round weekend. Wide World of Sports, Nine Network. Ball, court centre and courtside graphics for Super Netball Indigenous Round 2020, Cairns.

In collaboration with Dreamtime Art.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFMCVMHHLY4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

'Winyar Mugadjina - Women's Track of Foot', Netball design, centre court design, courtside graphics for Super Netball Indigenous Round 2020. Pre-round media for the highly anticipated games held in Cairns, Queensland. 

In collaboration with Dreamtime Art.

https://supernetball.com.au/news/excitement-builds-indigenous-round-2020

Article for the Knox News 'Exploring an Ancient Culture' tells of Scoresby West Preschool's efforts to instill cultural awareness and a lasting respect for Aboriginal culture through a bush tucker garden and the new addition of my recently painted mural.   

https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/files/News/Knox_News_Spring_2020.pdf 

I spoke to Luke from Cuppa of Life Cafe for a morning chat about National Reconciliation Week. I share my thoughts on reconciliation and where we are as a country touching on my great-grandmother's story.

3KND Kool and Deadly joined guests for the opening night of my solo exhibition 'Exhale' held at Queen Victoria Women's Centre, Melbourne, on March 5th 2020. Welcome to Country was performed by my mother, Aunty Zeta Thomson, and yidaki was played by my brother Mark Thomson. 

https://www.3knd.org.au/post/simone-thompson-solo-exhibition-exhale

I join G-Man on Melbourne's only Indigenous radio station 3KND Kool and Deadly's Big Brekkie yarning about my upcoming exhibition 'Exhale' at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre. 

https://www.3knd.org.au/post/artist-simone-thomson-joins-g-man-on-big-brekkie

Star Weekly article on Lakeview Senior College's Creative Industries Program. Driven by teachers Melanie Brooks and Rachel Collins, I introduce Year 12 VCAL students to Aboriginal art through cultural immersion and totem pole creations.

https://issuu.com/starweekly/docs/msw-20190625