All About Country : Raymond Young

Of Gunai, Yorta Yorta, and Gunditjmara descent, Raymond continues drawing inspiration from the traditional designs of the five major clans of his native Gunaikurnai people, the traditional owners of Gippsland, from the coastal areas to the southern slopes of the Victorian Alps.

His ceramics pay homage to the shields made by past generations, particularly those that would have been in existence at the time of First Contact. They are not weaponry against the European settlers. Rather, they bear marks of time and display signs of domestic use.

“Working with clay gives me a direction and helps me focus on something positive,” says Raymond. “Each shield is different to the next. I want each piece to have a personality. I want them to represent the elders and carry the wisdom and knowledge like they do; that’s who my shields represent.”

Raymond’s artwork was included in the survey of contemporary art, Melbourne Now, held at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2014; as well as in Wominjeka: A New Beginning, which traced cultural continuities and explored new modes of creative practice in South Eastern Aboriginal art and cultures, and which toured Victorian regional galleries 2015-2017.