News

Sydney 7's Series 2018

For the second year in a row, ASA provide the cup trophies, challenge trophies and all of the gold, silver and bronze medals, for this world series event.

Indigenous Land Council

Late last year Wayne created a Long Service Award for staff members of Indigenous Land Coucil. The award consists of three pieces, the first being a sphere mounted on QLD timber, received once they have reached 10 yrs of service. This sphere is the Beginning. Our land, our home, with campsites representing people of tribes and communities, alongside native animals and tracks.

The second piece is received at the 15yr mark and this attachment represents Water, something vital to life, starting with a Whale Tale at the bottom, turning into a waterfall, and showing marine life such as turtles and fish on top.

And the last piece, received at the 20yr milestone, represents Air, featuring birds, insects, and the life giving sun.

We are really happy with the end result - Wayne put alot of effort into making sure the three pieces all worked together and complimented each other, while still looking good with only 1 or 2 of the pieces. We hope that the staff members receiving them love them!

The Smith Family

These trophies were created for retiring staff members of The Smith Family - a children's charity helping disadvantaged Australian children to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves. Wayne was asked to incorporate their logo in the trophy and we think it worked out perfectly If you would like to sponsor an Australian child,  here is the link to their website for more info. https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/

Narragunnawali Trophies

Makes our day to receive feedback like this

"On behalf of Reconciliation Australia and the Narragunnawali team, I just wanted to send through another big thank you to Wayne and Lucy for all of the energy that you put into our trophy production! They looked so wonderful, and the Finalists and Winners certainly loved them! Your contribution to our special celebratory event is much appreciated!"

Gala Dinner Centrepieces

These table centrepieces were created for a gala dinner for the Australian Industry Defence Network, with the theme of Indigenous in the North. Wayne took 3 iconic NT animals - The crocodile, dragonfly and green ants - and created beautiful pyramid centrepieces, the edges of which look like termite mounds. When candles were in placed in the middle, it threw some really cool shadows around.  Standing 20cm tall and made from stainless steel.

2017 International Women & Law

We love these custom designed trophies, created for the 2017 International Women & Law Enforcement Conference, held in Cairns in September. Using their logo colours and turtle as inspiration, the client was very happy with the result. We also supplied them with some stainless steel baby sea turtles, to give as gifts for their speakers. Congratulations to all the winners

Mabo Oration 2017

These black cockatoo feathers, mounted on QLD timber, were presented to the speakers, master of ceremony (Stan Grant) and VIP guest, Mrs Bonita Mabo, at the 25th anniversary Mabo Oration, held in Brisbane last month.

Blackwoods Acknowledgment Plaques

More acknowledgment plaques, this time for Blackwoods. With 50+ office locations across Australia, Wayne needed to design something with meaning to all tribes while being sensitive to cultural differences. The design he settled on was 3 leaves – the 3 representing family or mob, and the leaves from a tree, representing being part of something bigger. The patterns that run through the piece show connection.

We have worked with Blackwoods on numerous projects over the past few years, but this is definitely one of the most special.

Queensland Resources Council

This is our second year of providing QRC with custom designed trophies for their annual awards night. You will notice there are two parts to the sculpture. To the right is a rough outline of Queensland and to the left, the smaller tip makes it into a boomerang shape. The smaller tip represents the indigenous involvement. Inside this piece I have added designs to represent the 5 resources but I have combined them into 3 - minerals/metals (left), oil and gas (centre) and coal to the right. I thought the boomerang fit in a couple of ways. One being that it is an indigenous connection that people from all over will have and two that the resources sector is bringing countrymen and women back to country to work.

Kmart Acknowledgment Plaques

The team at Kmart got in touch with Lucy a few months back and asked if I could create an Acknowledgment of Traditional Owner plaque for their 200+ stores throughout Australia. They have now started rolling them out nationwide. Coolalinga, just outside of Darwin, is the second store to display the plaque as a symbol of Kmart’s commitment to the Aboriginal and Indigenous communities in which they operate. Some of you know we are from Darwin, and lived in Humpty Doo for many years – it’s where I dreamed up ASA! So to have a plaque on display, just down the road from our old local shops and so close to Kungarakan country, is very special. I described the design, “As Traditional Owners, our love of living off the land and protecting it, ties us together. No matter which tribe or area you are from, we are all connected like water, which is represented by the water ways on the shield. The hands are symbolic of our family and the bloodlines of our ancestors – connected to culture, connected to family” Pictured is the acknowledgment plaque proudly displayed at the entrance to the store, alongside Larrakia Land Council representatives, Janine and Eddy, and Kmart staff.

HSBC Sydney 7's Trophies

These trophies were created for the 2017 Sydney 7s tournament. The ARU wanted an indigenous influence throughout the games and got in touch with Wayne to come up with something new and special for the trophies. The timber figures represent the players, passing and kicking the ball. The dots surrounding it represent the 7 players per side. The designs on the cup depict the journey of the players to get to the games, and the cup itself is painted in ochre colour dyes with the stained timber inlays.

Indigenous Governance Awards

For the third time running, ASA were asked to design and create the awards for the Indigenous Governance Awards. Keeping with the fire theme of years past, these trophies are now one of my favourites! Congratulations to all of the winners, paving the way for future generations.

Tropical North Queensland Innovation Awards 2016

We were really pleased to be asked to create trophies for the 2016 Tropical North Queensland Innovation Awards. These trophies stand around 25cm tall with an 18cm steel base, which was cut and dyed like a fan palm leaf. The sun in the top circle. The middle with colours of the rainforest, and the bottom circle with colours of the sea. All representing our unique tropics.The ripples from each circle overlap like the many innovative ideas that this award celebrates. Congratulations to all the finalist and winners!

Cassowary Coast Indigenous Cricket Carnival

These custom trophies were created for the Cassowary Coast Indigenous Cricket Carnival being held at the end of November 2016. The sculpture is free standing on a polished Queensland Timber base, featuring a Cassowary, and then depicted on the left is the Licuala palm and on the right, the Cassowary Coast from Innisfail to Hinchinbrook Island. The trophy was created in dyed marine grade stainless steel, using colours and layers to give depth. The larger, perpetual trophy, measured 70cm tall on a 40 cm ellipse shaped base, allowing plenty of room for winner's plaques to be added over the coming years. The smaller version that the winners take home with them, was about half the size.

Yam Vine Bike Racks

Completing the first pieces from our Street Furniture Range, these 15 bike racks were commissioned by Cairns Regional Council, as part of a huge refurbishment they are doing in Shield Street, Cairns City. Made entirely from stainless steel, they fit 3-4 bikes per rack, and are scattered over a large area. Decorated in steel designed yams and leaves from the rainforest, they compliment the surrounding area perfectly.

Indigenous Law Queensland

Very pleased to work with ILQ for the second year in a row, supplying them with lapel pins and a perpetual trophy for their annual mooting competition. They loved the original black cockatoo feather trophy we did the first year, but wanted to include the Torres Strait Culture as well, so we added the Waru (sea turtles). Really happy with the end result of this trophy, which stood almost 60cm tall, with a solid Queensland timber base.

Plaques for ATO

The ATO commissioned ASA to provide these wall plaques, acknowledging the Traditional Owners, for 22 offices throughout Australia. Great to see more and more businesses and organisations paying their respect to our elders.

ASA finalist for ANZAC Square Public Art

For the last month, I have been working on a project of which I am extremely proud to be part of. I am one of four artist that have been shortlisted to create a monument to Australia's Indigenous service men and women, which will be located in ANZAC Square in Brisbane. We were asked to create a scaled down version of our designs and they are now on display at Museum of Brisbane until the end of January, and is now open to the public. My design incorporates three totem poles – one each to represent the Army, Navy and Air Force. The poles will have carvings of soldiers, nurses, sailors and pilots, representing all the areas of service, and will be created in bronze, measuring 2m high each. Totems are strong culturally. Standing proud like our military. There are engraved contours surrounding the images representing our beautiful land and that these special people came from that land, and stood for the land. Carving the land is the spirit of indigenous Australia. Our warrior spirit. A spirit that ties us all together. The subtle lighting inside the poles will shine through the glass inserts of the serpent like sections and also over the portraits, which would be fitting at dawn service. There is also a steel and bronze mosaic in the base to tie all poles together.

Celebrating Mitchell Johnson

ASA was commissioned by Barry Hoare from Blackwoods, a business within the Wesfarmers Industrials division, to create a commemorative piece for Australian Test bowler, Mitchell Johnson. This piece shows 69 kangaroo and emu tracks (from the Australian coat of arms) which represent each of his test matches, a stylised "2000", to represent his runs, sits in a rising sun from his cherished baggy green and 300 dots on the cricket ball for each of his test wickets. Thankyou Barry for working with us on this and commissioning ASA for such a special gift for the Blackwoods ambassador.

QLD Telstra Business Award Finalist

We are proud to announce our inclusion as Finalist at this years Telstra Business Awards. Nominated in two categories, Micro and Regional, we can not wait to head to Brisbane to celebrate this incredible achievement. The old saying "happy just to of been nominated" sums up exactly how we are feeling!

Indigenous Governance Awards

ASA were honoured to provide the trophies again for this years Indigenous Governance Awards. Congratulations to Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation from Alice Springs and The Marruk Project in Swan Hill, who were awarded the best run Aboriginal organisation and project in the country. These trophies symbolise fire, to represent the pioneers of Indigenous governance or “trail blazers”. These Indigenous Organisations are promoting successful and sustainable practices that not only look after our own families, but are also good for all Australians and this deadly country of ours.

For more information please visit http://www.reconciliation.org.au/iga/news/australias-top-aboriginal-orga...

Exhibition at The Avenue, Darwin

Wayne currently has a range of pieces available at The Avenue in Darwin, NT. Part of a group exhibition for October Business Month, you can view his pieces on display in their beautiful waterhole themed atrium, where his large installation of Magpie Geese are installed.

Acknowledgement Sculpture for Norton Rose Fulbright

Recently we were commissioned by Norton Rose Fulbright Australia to design an acknowledgement sculpture representing the traditional owners of the land on which their five offices are located. The acknowledgement sculpture, which is featur…ed on the front page of their RAP and displayed in each of their offices, is titled “Food, Land and Water” and incorporates five distinct cultural components to represent the different tribes and clans. We really enjoyed working on this one, and are extremely happy with the results.

You can read more at http://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/au/corporate-responsibility/reconciliation/

ASA at Black Markets for NAIDOC Week

ASA are excited to be a part of the upcoming Black Markets, being held in Bare Island, La Perouse, NSW on 6th July. Westpac have kindly offered to host a stall on our behalf, showcasing our work so if you would like to see our art up close, be sure to stop by and say hello.

It looks like it will be an amazing day – for more information, check out the website at http://www.firsthandsolutions.org/#!markets/c176a

New Clients Bluescope Steel

ASA is proud to be supplying steel giant, Bluescope Steel, with corporate gifts that travel the world.

ASA Finalist in the Telstra Business Award 2014

We are excited and very proud to let everyone know that Aboriginal Steel Art is a 2014 Finalist in the Telstra Business Awards for Micro Business in Queensland.   We cannot believe we have gotten this far, but are ever so grateful to everyone that has been a part of our journey. A special mention to Indigenous Business Australia, Fortis One and Supply Nation, without which we would never of come so far.

We have worked extremely hard over the last 6 years to get ASA to where it is today, lots of long nights, early mornings and working weekends but we have a favourite quote – Dreams done work unless you do – and our dream is now our reality.

We love everything about what we do and are passionate about growing and expanding over the coming years, offering employment for our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

Looking forward to the future!

ASA Featured in Inspire Magazine

We are proud and excited to be featured in issue 13 of Inspire magazine. Thank you to IBA for all of your help and encouragement over the years. And also Fortis One, our business mentors and now friends, for all of their guidance and knowledge to help us become the best that we can be. http://www.iba.gov.au/article/life-design/

ASA supporting Climb for Cancer 2014

ASA are very proud to sponsoring Team Amanda Vea Vea in the upcoming Climb for Cancer 2014, which is held annually to raise funds for the Mater Foundation. Amanda is undergoing chemo while still tirelessly fundraising for this great cause, …along with the rest of her team, made up of supportive family and friends. Any donations, big or small, are welcome, so please follow the link to support this amazing group of people. https://climbforcancer2014.everydayhero.com/au/team-amanda-vea-vea

New commemorative pins for ECU’s Indigenous Alumni

Below is a picture of us with the deadly Tracey Lee Edwards, Kurongkurl Katitjin’s Communications and Events Officer from ECU in Perth. Tracey worked in collaboration with us to develop a commemorative pin, only available to ECU Indigenous …Australian graduates. These custom, handmade pins serve as a symbolic and personal reminder of their journey at ECU. The shape of the pin represents one of the seven pillars on which a graduates’ name appears and subsequently, the unique cohort to which they belong. Indigenous graduates from ECU are encouraged to contact Kurongkurl Katitjin by email at rocksolid@ecu.edu.au to find out how to receive the unique pin.

ASA are off to San Antonio, Texas!

ASA are proud to announce that we will be part of the Supply Nation Delegation to the NMSDC Business Opportunity Fair in San Antonio Texas USA  in October.

By participating in the Supply Nation delegation to Supply Nations US sister council – the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) – event, we will:

  • Attend and participate in the NMSDC’s one day business opportunity fair that showcases Fortune 500 company’s supplier diversity programs
  • Network and explore business opportunities with Fortune 500 companies, minority owned businesses, supplier councils from the UK, Canada, South Africa and China, and supplier diversity experts
  • Build our knowledge of supplier diversity for application in the Australian context

We are excited about the opportunities that may come from this, and for the chance to show ASA to an international audience. We look forward to sharing our experience with you when we return!

Pathways Exhibition starts this week

Wayne McGinness is proud to be a part of this years Pathways annual exhibition, which features artists who have successfully completed the UMI Arts Exhibition Ready Program in the last twelve months.

This year, Pathways 4 features Wayne McGinness, Tatipai Barsa, Cheryl Creed and George Riley.

Pathways 4 showcases a wide range of mediums and styles, including stainless steel sculptures, portrait paintings and works representing the rainforest regions and the Torres Strait Islands.

Where: UMI Arts Shop and Galleries, 335 Sheridan St, Nth Cairns

When: 14 Aug – 25 Sep

Official Launch: Wed 14 Aug, 6pm – All Welcome

New Exhibition in Sydney

We are very excited to be a part of Tali Gallery’s exhibition –  mixT : Indigenous Art in 3D. Opening Thursday 21st of March, and running for the next few weeks, Wayne’s Stainless Steel Sculptures will be displayed amongst clay Bagu figures from NE Queensland, stunning fibre works from Arnhemland and Elcho Island, town camp soft sculptures from Larapinta, and ghost net soft sculptures from Groote Eylandt. If you are in Sydney, please stop past and take a look.  Tali Gallery is located at 667 Darling Street, Rozelle, NSW.

Indigenous Showcase – Multicultural Fair Canberra

Aboriginal Steel Art thanks Katrina Fanning and Aboriginal Hostels Limited for having us as part of the Indigenous Showcase in Canberra’s Multicultural Fair 2013. The showcase is on the 9th and 10th of February.

Support a Great Cause

ASA are proud supporters of Life Education Queensland, the largest non-government provider of drug and health education to children and young people. Their vision is for all Australian children and young people to enjoy life free from the effects of drug misuse and empower the young to make the best choices for a safe life. In conjunction with Wesfarmers Brisbane office, ASA will now be donating $4 from every butterfly sold to this great charity. So if you are after a special gift, and want to support an amazing charity at the same time, these butterflies are for you!

Steel Jidu nominated for Most Popular Art Show in Cairns 2012

We are extremely excited to anounce that Wayne’s first solo exhibtion “Steel Jidu” has been listed in the Cairns Hit Awards for most popular art show or exhibition. We have never even been in the running for an award before so please get behind us and vote “Steel Jidu” for question 6 on the link below. Thanks all for your support!!

cairnspo.st/HitAwards2013

Radio Interview with ABC Awaye Programme

A big thank you to the ABC Awaye programme, for the interview they recently conducted with Wayne. It was a fantastic opportunity for exposing his art to all of Australia, and potentially an overseas’ audience as well.

Wayne speaks to Rico Adjrun about his art, setting up his company Aboriginal Steel Art and Steel Jidu (Fire stick) his first solo exhibition.

To listen to the pod cast, click here http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/awaye/aboriginal-steel-art/4369424

IBA Inspire Magazine Interview

This month we are extremely proud to be featured in the Inspire Magazine, published by Indigenous Business Australia. We had the lovely Bridie Henehan come and visit us at our home and we were delighted to share our story with her. IBA have been extremely supportive of us over the past and we would encourage any Indigenous people who have an idea, or an established business and are looking for some guidance, to contact IBA and get the help to achieve your goals.

To view the article click here http://www.iba.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Magazine-Inspire-issue-9-October-2012.pdf

First Solo Exhibition

I am so excited to announce my first Solo Exhibition to be held at UMI Arts. Opening night is Thursday 11th October, you will all be invited! I am extremely grateful to UMI for giving me this opportunity and look forward to showcasing some awesome pieces. Now to get back to work, I will be busy for the next few weeks with this one!

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 17 – 19 August 2012

Well, it’s that time again and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair promises to be even bigger and better this year. So I have gone all out to make bigger and better pieces that we are proudly displaying with the Sundance Gallery. A big thanks to owner Kane Brown who is a great guy that is displaying works from some of the biggest names in Qld, Australia and even the world. Billy Missi, Alick Tipoti, Glenn Mackie and Anthony Walker to mention a few. So get down and support the fair and be sure to check out the amazing work at Sundance Gallery booth. See you there!

Aboriginal Business Magazine

Thanks to Neil Willmett, there is a Q & A in the April issue of ABM or Aboriginal Business Magazine with Wayne McGinness on how Aboriginal Steel Art began and where it’s going.

Special Mention

A special mention to our very good friends Elmarie Gebler and Graham Caldwell from Fortis One, the best business consultants around and Gillian Trenerry and Gino Amadio from Fibre Optics NQ , simply the best telecommunication cabling company. These four people inspire and educate us and seemingly have all the time in the world for Aboriginal Steel Art.  Also a big thanks to Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) for having faith in us and backing ASA all the way.

AIMSC Connect 2012 Thanks

We would like to thank AIMSC and All The Perks for organizing such a successful event. The Business Forum, Trade Show and Gala Dinner were all top notch and we were so proud to be a part of it all. Aboriginal Steel Art designed and created the awards for the Gala and were very proud also to have made the gifts for retiring AIMSC Board members too. CEO Natalie Walker announced the next one will be in Melbourne. See you all there!

AIMSC Connect 2012

ASA is proud to announce we have been given the honour of supplying the AIMSC  Connect 2012 accolades. We are very excited to be involved in such a big event and given the opportunity to meet with some huge companies and government departments to show off our corporate gifts, fine art and functional art in our very own trade booth. My wife Lucy and I will be travelling down to Sydney where we will attend a business forum, trade show and gala dinner.

Created in Australian 316 stainless steel

All of Wayne’s aboriginal steel sculptures are created in Australian 316 marine grade stainless steel. This not only allows him to showcase the beautiful natural colours that quality stainless steel produces when heated at different temperatures, but also provides a cleaner, long lasting work of art for the buyer to enjoy.

AIMSC Certified!

Aboriginal Steel Art is now a AIMSC certified supplier! The Australian Indigenous Minority Supply Council connects corporate and goverment Australia with indigenous business and we are only too happy to be a part of it. Thanks Lisa Mundine of AIMSC and Elmarie Gebler and Graham Caldwell of Fortis One, Cairns.

Aboriginal Steel Art Shirts

Hi everyone. We now have longsleeve T-shirts available in our online store in sizes – small, medium, large and extra large.

Beautifully printed by Bernie at Dog in a Darkroom Screen Printing in Townsville, Australia on quality Gildan shirts.

FREE POSTAGE!

Hello World!

Kimak Ngey-yenguh!

Welcome to the website for Aboriginal Steel Art.

We are always updating our website so check back in often to see new work and the all new online store where you can purchase work by Wayne McGinness!

Enjoy your visit!

The Welcome to Millaa Millaa sign that is now in the Lions Park in the Main Street of Millaa Millaa is truly a distinctive, creative asset, depicting our local fauna in a welcoming way to our visitors. I watch as many children touch the sign to feel the dimensions that Wayne has put into the animals. An amazing piece of art.
-- Beryl Hanrahan