Mary’s Place – Spirit of Country, by Lisa Buxton
About the artwork
In 2023, Lisa Buxton generously bestowed ‘Mary’s Place – Spirit of Country’ upon Mary MacKillop Place, portraying the site through art in a deeply symbolic manner. Songlines have been connecting Aboriginal peoples to Country for time immemorial, they are a living narrative of Country and Sky.
In this artwork ‘Mary’s Place – Spirit of Country’ the songline of the seven sisters are seen in Father Sky. Campsites using colours of yellow, red, brown, and white ochres are used to symbolise walking with the rhythms of Mother Earth and spiritual connections to Country; Country which is surrounded by waterways and freshwater wells. Women’s law governed freshwater and Gai-mariagal women worked with the waters of the harbours, coves, and bays.
The reflection of the Southern Cross and the living narrative of storylines are woven within Country which includes the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s storyline in this place, past and present.
Sites of significance for the sisters, such as, Alma Cottage, Anderledy Lodge, Tenison Wood’s Memorial Centre, the old schoolhouse, Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel, Mary MacKillop Place Museum, and at the centre Glen Roy Green, a gathering place, are all part of the interconnected history of the Josephite story.
Sister Mary was always welcoming and respectful of the natural, human, and spiritual worlds. The Sisters of Saint Joseph have continued this respect therefore the use of campsites and natural references in the artwork reflect both Aboriginal connections to Country and the contemporary and spiritual connections to Mary MacKillop Place.
It is important to note that it was Aboriginal people who assisted the Sisters of St Joseph in naming this place. They said “Well, it’s Mary’s Place”.
‘Mary’s Place – Spirit of Country’ by Lisa Buxton 2023. © 2024 Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.
About Lisa Buxton
Lisa is a Bundjalung and Yugambeh woman and the Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney.
Prior to taking on this role Lisa spent more than two decades working for Catholic education in the Lismore, Broken Bay, and Sydney diocese. During this time, she worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, their families, and communities.
Lisa is passionate about continuing her journey of learning from and connecting to Country. In 2012, she undertook further study at the University of Notre Dame, completing a Master of Philosophy in 2015 and a Doctor of Education in 2020.
She is a committed educator and an active member of both the Aboriginal and Catholic communities.
About Lisa Buxton
Lisa is a Bundjalung and Yugambeh woman and the Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney.
Prior to taking on this role Lisa spent more than two decades working for Catholic education in the Lismore, Broken Bay, and Sydney diocese. During this time, she worked closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, their families, and communities.
Lisa is passionate about continuing her journey of learning from and connecting to Country. In 2012, she undertook further study at the University of Notre Dame, completing a Master of Philosophy in 2015 and a Doctor of Education in 2020.
She is a committed educator and an active member of both the Aboriginal and Catholic communities.
Featured Collection
Inspired by ‘Mary’s Place – Spirit of Country’ by Lisa Buxton, this exclusive collection is available through our Online Store and Gift Shop and Café.
“Now I beg of you all to be as united in holy love as possible. Bear with one another, help one another, and ever strive to serve God in a generous spirit. ”
MARY MACKILLOP | 1881
