From a sketch on an iPad to a large-scale community

From a sketch on an iPad to a large-scale community mural - Njarala Paton has transformed Oxygen Youth Space. 🖌️✨

Njarala is a Brunswick-based Year 12 student and emerging First Nations artist of Ngarigo Monero, Gunai and Gunditjmara heritage.

She’s the youngest of just 5 artists commissioned to represent regions of Victoria as part of the historic First Peoples Treaty process.

When asked about the commission, Njarala says it felt special to be chosen for the project.

“It’s special to share what I’ve learned from my family, my great grandpa and great grandma especially who were well recognised artists. I’m pretty inspired by them.”

Completed over a number of weeks during the autumn school holidays, the mural brings local knowledge, innovative art and a strong emerging voice to this much-loved community space in Coburg.

Image description: a young person painting a colourful mural and closeup photos of mural details.