Kevin Bynder paints maintenance kit for NAIDOC Week

July 8, 2021

This NAIDOC week, we have had Indigenous artist Kevin Bynder painting one of our maintenance kits in-house at one of our warehouses. Kevin is a Whadjuk Noongar man on his mother’s side and Widdibadimia Yamatji on his father’s side. He has been an artist for over 20 years, painting on the side of his career in the police and security industry. 16 months ago, Kevin made the move into full time painting and has been gaining acclaim for his work ever since. In the last couple of years he has had a residency at Yagan Square, commissions for the West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers, Port Adelaide and Perth Scorchers teams, a collectors stamp with Australia Post, collectors items for the Perth Mint and has painted murals at Elizabeth Quay and a number of schools to name a few significant achievements.

We are honoured that Kevin accepted our invitation to paint one of our maintenance kits. NAIDOC week 2021’s theme is ‘Heal Country’, and shares an important message of seeking greater protections for lands, waters, sacred sites and First Nation cultural heritage. It’s our hope that seeing his stunning work will inspire people to learn more about local Indigenous culture and do their part to heal Country.

Kevin said, “Listen to the Indigenous people around the world – how they hunted, how they work with Country and look after the land. Mother nature won’t look after you if you don’t look after her.”

His artwork on the cabinet is about Makuru, the winter season for June and July. In the beautiful, vibrant painting you can see the camping grounds and the yakaan (turtle), the greenish blue waterways representing the estuaries and the blue water representing the ocean. Orange and yellow dots show the sand and and bars in the river and estuaries.

Kevin said “In Makuru seasons we travel from the coast to the estuaries for more shelter and food – turtles, crab and fish huddle in the estuaries. After Makuru as the season changes to Djilba we move inland where the wildflowers are and the water holes have filled – everything is growing and the animals are easy to hunt near the water holes.”

At AMCAP, we encourage everyone to take the opportunity this NAIDOC week – and everyday – to learn more about the land you are living and working on and respect the people and the culture that has been here for tens of thousands of years. We believe we all have the responsibility to make Australia a better, more inclusive place for everyone to thrive.

Check out Kevin’s work on Instagram @KevinBynder, on Facebook @KevvyByndersArt and he’s also on LinkedIn.