We launch reconciliation artwork

Our journey as told by artist, Chern'ee Sutton

My name is Chern’ee Sutton and I am a contemporary Indigenous artist from the Kalkadoon people, this painting is my interpretation of BMT and its reconciliation journey.

In my painting the large blue community symbol in the centre of the artwork represents BMT in Australia, it is painted in their primary colours with their logo in the centre. The blue and aqua oval around BMT’s community symbol and the boomerang in the bottom left corner represents BMT’s Purpose; We Design, We Guide, We Protect, We Sustain, We Train, We Transform.

The oval is a shield, which symbolises “We Protect”. The arrow which goes through the community symbol, leading upwards represents “We Guide” and the two arrows around the shield on the top left and bottom right symbolises “We Transform”. The dotted blue dotted circles and white U symbols (people symbols) around the shield represents “We Design” and the large and small U symbols around the boomerang represents “We Train” With the community symbol surrounded by leaves in the centre of the boomerang representing “We Sustain”. The boomerang also symbolises customers returning year after year due to BMT’s quality work and service. The 3 large aqua, white and blue U symbols around the shield represent BMT’s strategic priorities; Sustain core, Grow through Collaboration and Exploit and Invest in Innovation.

The footprints begin at the boomerang, representing BMT’s journey since their foundation, the footprints then travel throughout the centre of the artwork, as the silhouettes around the outside grow, evolve and expand, symbolising BMT’s growth and mission.

“To create tangible value and advantage for our customers and stakeholders, by leveraging our diverse technical and sectoral experience to innovate and solve complex problems, collaborating to deliver the right solution at the right time for the right price.”

The 7 light and dark blue circles surrounded by dots beige and grey dots are connected to each other and to BMT’s community symbol through the white spirit trails, these represents some of the sectors where BMT work, Coastal Infrastructure, Commercial Maritime, Defence and security, Energy and natural resources, Marine insurance and underwriting, National and local government and Water management. 

The handprints and dots in the bottom right corner of the painting represent BMT’s Vision:

“To be recognised in our core markets as the trusted partner for scientific and engineering led advice, solutions and services, addressing the most challenging needs of our clients.”

The sprouting plant represents BMT’s dedication to the environment and sustainability and their goal to become fully carbon neutral by 2030. The kangaroo and emu footprints represent BMT’s RAP and how due to their dedication to reconciliation and diversity BMT are always moving forwards, never backwards, just like the kangaroo and emu.

The 5 aqua, white, pink and green stars throughout the piece represent BMT’s values; Trust, Innovation, Passion, Respect and Collaboration. The waterholes throughout the background of the piece represents the water and coasts which are a major part of BMT’s work.

Finally, the small white community symbols surrounded by people symbols and connected to one another represents BMT’s connection to the people and communities they work in, as well as their staff, employees and clients. People are very important to BMT, which is why they continue to grow and be a trusted partner to their customers, to be the people that they can rely on to help them with their most complex and challenging problems.

The Artwork

By Chern’ee Sutton

Size – 121cm wide X 91cm high 

Medium – Acrylic and textured acrylic on canvas

About the Artist

Chern'ee Sutton is a proud Aboriginal artist and Kalkadoon woman from the emu foot province around the Mount Isa area in North West Queensland. Chern'ee's Great, Great, Great Grandmother is an apical ancestor of the Kalkadoon people and is also related to Charlie Perkins a renowned Aboriginal activist who led the Freedom Ride in the late 1960’s. Chern'ee entered her first art competition at 13 years of age and won first place in the open category and has been painting madly ever since. Passionate about her art and reconciliation Chern’ee wants to share her culture and history with the world through her art and bring a stronger appreciation and compassionate understanding of Aboriginal people. Her distinctive style is engrained onto the canvases she produces merging the two worlds of traditional Aboriginal heritage with a modern contemporary twist that is visually captivating catching the eyes of collectors from around the world. Chern’ee has won an abundance of both State and National awards, has gained success both Nationally and Internationally and has been an Australia Day Ambassador for the past 5 years. Chern’ee has met with Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their Royal visit to Australia in 2014 and presented them one of her reconciliation paintings depicting a united Australia which now hangs in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. Another one of her paintings was commissioned by City of Gold Coast and was gifted to his Royal Highness, Charles Prince of Wales during his Royal Visit to Australia for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the painting now also hangs in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.

Chern’ee has 1 painting hanging in Queensland’s Parliament House on the Reconciliation level, 2 paintings hanging in the Queensland’s State Library and has exhibited her artworks in London, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. Chern’ee’s clients include The Queensland Government, The Australian Defence Force, 2018 Commonwealth Games, Tennis Australia Rugby League, The National, Accor Hotels, Queensland Police, Dreamworld, Rainforestation and Essendon Bombers to name a few.

Chern'ee designed the Indigenous markings and Indigenous story for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Mascot Borobi. Her artwork and story was used on Borobi's paws, feet, surfboard, name and advertising signage and he played a major part in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Visit her site, here.