Jenna and Vera Richards had only just started working with a new medium when they were commissioned to create the cover artwork for Country Arts SA’s latest Reconciliation Action Plan, but it has made for a fitting metaphor.

The Barngarla sisters from Galinyala (Port Lincoln) created Shared Ground on leftover Belgium linen from their work for another Country Arts First Nations project Woven Within Stars; however, it’s the ink laid upon the canvas that’s the star of the show.

“I’m quite one for details,” Vera said. “But to loosen up and use the ink, I found it was a beautiful medium and for all these different effects to come through.”

“We’re still learning and we just love the way that it flows and moves around on the canvas and what it brings to the life of the painting.”

The colourful dyes blend to form a fluid, celestial masterpiece, and it’s symbolic of Vera’s feeling that the piece is “encompassing all of us that reside on this earthy plain of Mother and us working together”.

“It’s up to all of us to make this work,” the elder sister said.

In their artists’ statement, Jenna and Vera said the painting invites everyone to come together as one community to reflect, listen and learn from each other – seeing our differences not as divisions but as strengths that deepen understanding and connection.

At the centre of the work lies a symbol of unity – “the sun, because that’s where we get all our lifeforce from … oozing all the energy out” – surrounded by other “elements drawn from Mother” including flora, fauna, ocean, land and galaxy, highlighting the importance of caring for Yarta (Country).

“South Australia is a rich and vibrant meeting place,” Jenna said.

“We did take into consideration all the other mob in SA and their totems in a sense.

“Country Arts is here for everyone, from the desert to the sea.

“The opals aren’t just representative of Coober Pedy way, but because when things are in the ground that’s where our sacred sites are.

“All the little dots are little flowers, because that’s one thing we got told about Seven Sisters is everywhere they go that’s where the flowers pop up.”

The artists said they had a strong vision for the piece from the start, which stuck and guided them throughout development, with Vera adding that it was about “whatever spirit wants us to do”.

“This is all about unity – it doesn’t matter where we come from – coming together, working together to acknowledge the land, the earth, the fire, the wind, the water, the moon, the sun.”

Jenna said, “What we talked about at the beginning is basically how it turned out”.

“I like the simplicity of it.”

Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2026-29

Reflecting on case studies including Nunga Screen, Wild Dog, and Regional Tarnanthi, Country Arts SA’s ongoing aspirations for the next three years include:

Strengthening respectful, reciprocal relationships with First Nations peoples across regional South Australia.

Increasing equity through employment, leadership pathways and identified roles.

Embedding First Nations voices and decision-making authority across organisational structures.

Supporting truth-telling and healing through First Nations-led artistic practice.

Demonstrating institutional integrity through accountability, transparency and cultural safety.

Main image: Vera Richards and Jenna Richards, Shared Ground, 2026, ink, acrylic and gold leaf on Belgian linen, 125.5 cm x 140 cm. Photo: Sam Roberts.