'The Message'

Student Reflection

I decided on the scripture passage, Matthew 2:9-12, and chose to tell the story of the journey the Magi took on a message stick. The Magi  risked so much to travel a long way to see the new King. They had to cross the desert and it would have been hard. I appreciate what they would have been through because I’ve travelled the desert in Australia. I’ve experienced hardship as well and I have an appreciation for what they would have endured - all to see Jesus.

For my artwork, I was inspired by my First Nations ancestry. I represented the journey with symbols. I started by choosing my stick. I needed a stick that was just right. I sanded it carefully, getting it ready for the wood burning tool. Uncle Phil Butler talked to me about the different symbols I could use. If you look from left to right along the stick, you will see the camel tracks, the sandhills, the ‘men’ symbol (for the Wise Men), the sand and the pathway leading to the meeting place with Jesus. The star represents ancestors, mine and Jesus’.