Anglican Communion News Service

A stunning visual symbol of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians will be unveiled at St James' Church, King Street, Sydney on Sunday, May 27 -the start of National Reconciliation Week. The church service for reconciliation, at which the artwork will be unveiled, begins at 11am.

The $7,000 multi-coloured glasswork was commissioned by St James' parish, in consultation with the Art Gallery of NSW, and designed by acclaimed indigenous artist, Nikki McCarthy.

"I would see this artwork as a positive step and it is important to focus on the positives as a way to build relationships," Ms McCarthy said.

She explained the artwork challenges what 'indigenous' means by taking a traditional design and translating it into a contemporary medium.

"Indigenousness has always been misinterpreted as belonging to the past tense. Aboriginality is more than a museum piece, but a living culture that changes with time."

Artwork designed by acclaimed indigenous artist, Nikki McCarthy.

Photo Credit: ACNS

St James' commissioned the artwork as a way to counter the heritage listed colonial memorials to early explorers Edmund Kennedy, John Gilbert and Captain Collet Barker that were on their walls. These memorials recall in a one-sided way the fatal incidents between the Europeans and Aboriginal people.

"The artwork is not a beginning or an end. It is about moving forward, building relationships with indigenous people of this land," said the Rev Susanne Pain, St James' minister. "Reconciliation stands at the heart of the Christian gospel. In a fractured world God calls us to repentance and to new life in Christ. The unveiling of the plaque marks a step in the movement towards reconciliation."

The Rev Susanne Pain said the unveiling of the artwork in the historic church was particularly significant because the parish contains the place British first landed. St James was designed by convict architect, Francis Greenway, was consecrated in 1824, and is the oldest existing ecclesiastical building in Sydney.

"Built by forced labour of convicts, transported from their homeland on land taken from its indigenous owners; it represents the ambiguity of our history, with its successes, its pride and shame.

"In our journey of reconciliation at St James, we have begun to understand our own building, the indigenous culture of the local area and the need for continuing steps towards new life together. This Sunday we dedicate a visual symbol of that journey."

St James' have furthered their commitment to reconciliation, recently launching a $10,000 Reconciliation Fund.

A special Reconciliation Liturgy was written especially for Sunday's service. Bishop Ken Mason, who helped establish the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory, will lead the service and dedicate the artwork.

The sermon will be delivered by the Rev Di Langham, an Aboriginal priest from Newcastle.

The service will include a special performance by Nature Nature, an instrumental act which blends the sounds of indigenous musician, Henry Phineasa on didgeridoo with David McBurney playing flute, clarinet and percussion.