Designing the Reconciliation Journey: Interview with Artist Rhonda Sampson
Author
Block
Author
Block
Earlier this month, we launched our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in Australia, solidifying our commitment to fostering impactful Indigenous partnerships and implementing programs that drive positive social change.
The plan is just the first stage of a longer RAP process focussing on acknowledging and uplifting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
For the report, Block asked Rhonda Sampson, proud Kamilaroi woman and artist specializing in contemporary Aboriginal designs, to create a dynamic artwork representing Block’s RAP journey. The result is a design titled Empowered Futures:
Rhonda Sampson, Empowered Futures, 2024
To celebrate our partnership, Block sat down with Rhonda to learn more about her background as an artist, her approach to RAP report artworks, and the importance of reconciliation.
Artist Rhonda Sampson
What inspired you to become an artist?
Growing up, I basically always had a pen and paper in my hand. When I was young, I started drawing landscapes and animals, bringing a lot of Aboriginal design into that. I was heavily influenced by the environment at home. My Aunty had artworks and artifacts throughout our home, so I was surrounded by art from a young age.
Did you continue to pursue art as a career?
Later in my life, I found myself working in Indigenous recruitment. However, a persistent interest in graphic design tugged at me. One day, a flier promoting a graphic design course caught my eye. With a natural talent for art and a growing proficiency in computers and technology, I decided to merge these skills. This fusion led to something truly remarkable. I continued to advance my abilities, creating artworks along the way. Then, an opportunity arose to create an artwork for a Reconciliation Action Plan. Embracing the chance, my involvement in graphic design blossomed from there.
And that’s how you began working with RAP reports?
Yes. It was the first artwork I had done professionally, and it was put on a semi-trailer truck that provided mobile services to youth in rural communities. That was my first job and I thought, I’m really onto something here, this is really cool.
How did that first project impact your life?
In one of the towns the truck traveled to, there’s a video showing a group of kids cheering for its arrival. And you can hear a little 10-year-old boy saying, “Oh man, look at that artwork! That’s deadly!” That really captured me. It ignited something in me, a thought that I can really do something with impact for our kids. And it made me think, kids can't be what they can't see. So, for me, I carry that mantra with me, with all the stuff that I do. For me, it became about influencing the next generation of artists.
Sampson’s artwork Diyan Warrene was projected onto the Sydney Opera House in January, 2023. Image permissions courtesy of Rhonda Sampson, the Australia Day Council of NSW.
Later, one of your Reconciliation artworks was projected on the Sydney Opera House, right?
Yes, one of the big highlights [of my career] was creating an artwork that was projected on the Sydney Opera House for Australia Day last year. Interesting story with this one — a teacher from California reached out to me about the artwork, asking if I wanted to work with her on something for her students. So, I went back to the Opera House, filmed a video in front of it talking to [the students], and gave them a project: pick a location and create an artwork based on that location using symbols. The whole school ended up getting involved. And that was pretty amazing for me to know that my reach is not just local. It's those little reminders that when I’m designing, I’m representing my culture and my people through artwork.
Each element in Sampson’s artworks holds meaningful symbolism.
Tell me about Empowered Futures, the artwork you created for Block’s inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
I usually start my RAP artworks by representing the journey of reconciliation. There's four pillars of RAP: respect, relationships, opportunities, and governance. I represent those pillars [in the work]. At the center is Block itself. And then there’s a path running through the artwork, representing the journey of the Reconciliation Action Plan for Block. Represented across the artwork mid top and bottom on the orange background is financial wellness and economic empowerment representing Block’s commitment to strengthening communities and fostering prosperity for all.
What are your thoughts on the importance of reconciliation and the role business can play?
I think everybody has a role to play in reconciliation, including myself as an artist. It's actually a responsibility that I take on, to make sure I represent my culture with the highest regard and follow my own protocols culturally with businesses. It's acknowledging our past and improving the future for everyone moving forward together. And what that means is that the Reconciliation Action Plan is a blueprint to how to get there, but it's not a destination. It's actually a journey, and it's an ongoing journey. It's about listening, learning, and understanding, and continuing to improve Australia for everybody.
Author
Block
Earlier this month, we launched our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in Australia, solidifying our commitment to fostering impactful Indigenous partnerships and implementing programs that drive positive social change.
The plan is just the first stage of a longer RAP process focussing on acknowledging and uplifting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
For the report, Block asked Rhonda Sampson, proud Kamilaroi woman and artist specializing in contemporary Aboriginal designs, to create a dynamic artwork representing Block’s RAP journey. The result is a design titled Empowered Futures:
Rhonda Sampson, Empowered Futures, 2024
To celebrate our partnership, Block sat down with Rhonda to learn more about her background as an artist, her approach to RAP report artworks, and the importance of reconciliation.
Artist Rhonda Sampson
What inspired you to become an artist?
Growing up, I basically always had a pen and paper in my hand. When I was young, I started drawing landscapes and animals, bringing a lot of Aboriginal design into that. I was heavily influenced by the environment at home. My Aunty had artworks and artifacts throughout our home, so I was surrounded by art from a young age.
Did you continue to pursue art as a career?
Later in my life, I found myself working in Indigenous recruitment. However, a persistent interest in graphic design tugged at me. One day, a flier promoting a graphic design course caught my eye. With a natural talent for art and a growing proficiency in computers and technology, I decided to merge these skills. This fusion led to something truly remarkable. I continued to advance my abilities, creating artworks along the way. Then, an opportunity arose to create an artwork for a Reconciliation Action Plan. Embracing the chance, my involvement in graphic design blossomed from there.
And that’s how you began working with RAP reports?
Yes. It was the first artwork I had done professionally, and it was put on a semi-trailer truck that provided mobile services to youth in rural communities. That was my first job and I thought, I’m really onto something here, this is really cool.
How did that first project impact your life?
In one of the towns the truck traveled to, there’s a video showing a group of kids cheering for its arrival. And you can hear a little 10-year-old boy saying, “Oh man, look at that artwork! That’s deadly!” That really captured me. It ignited something in me, a thought that I can really do something with impact for our kids. And it made me think, kids can't be what they can't see. So, for me, I carry that mantra with me, with all the stuff that I do. For me, it became about influencing the next generation of artists.
Sampson’s artwork Diyan Warrene was projected onto the Sydney Opera House in January, 2023. Image permissions courtesy of Rhonda Sampson, the Australia Day Council of NSW.
Later, one of your Reconciliation artworks was projected on the Sydney Opera House, right?
Yes, one of the big highlights [of my career] was creating an artwork that was projected on the Sydney Opera House for Australia Day last year. Interesting story with this one — a teacher from California reached out to me about the artwork, asking if I wanted to work with her on something for her students. So, I went back to the Opera House, filmed a video in front of it talking to [the students], and gave them a project: pick a location and create an artwork based on that location using symbols. The whole school ended up getting involved. And that was pretty amazing for me to know that my reach is not just local. It's those little reminders that when I’m designing, I’m representing my culture and my people through artwork.
Each element in Sampson’s artworks holds meaningful symbolism.
Tell me about Empowered Futures, the artwork you created for Block’s inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
I usually start my RAP artworks by representing the journey of reconciliation. There's four pillars of RAP: respect, relationships, opportunities, and governance. I represent those pillars [in the work]. At the center is Block itself. And then there’s a path running through the artwork, representing the journey of the Reconciliation Action Plan for Block. Represented across the artwork mid top and bottom on the orange background is financial wellness and economic empowerment representing Block’s commitment to strengthening communities and fostering prosperity for all.
What are your thoughts on the importance of reconciliation and the role business can play?
I think everybody has a role to play in reconciliation, including myself as an artist. It's actually a responsibility that I take on, to make sure I represent my culture with the highest regard and follow my own protocols culturally with businesses. It's acknowledging our past and improving the future for everyone moving forward together. And what that means is that the Reconciliation Action Plan is a blueprint to how to get there, but it's not a destination. It's actually a journey, and it's an ongoing journey. It's about listening, learning, and understanding, and continuing to improve Australia for everybody.