Overcoming adversity is the central theme of the 2021 Paralympic uniforms designed by Southern Highlands artist Rheanna Lotter.
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The 26-year old was first approached back in 2017 by design studio Wite Kite to create an artwork that would be incorporated into the Australian Paralympic team's uniforms.
Lotter, a Yuin nation women, said the Indigenous artwork was designed to tell each athlete's individual story.
"It was based off the athletes and their journey," Lotter told the Southern Highland News.
"We represented all the states and territories of Australia and connected them all through our connection lines. Then we had the boomerangs which are represented as a hunting boomerang.
"So in the first painting that's been released it's about adversity and challenges, the boomerangs are a bit scattered because everyone's gone on some form of journey to become a Paralympian.
"It took quite a long time to get the design right, we wanted to make sure it was perfect and that it represented everything that they needed and wanted."
While people will get to see her design in Tokyo come August, a second painting will be making an appearance in the near future and will serve as an evolution of the first.
"In the next painting that we did the boomerangs are more structured and that's about how we turn our adversities and challenges into a fighting spirit. That design hasn't been released yet but you'll see the changing boomerangs."
Art is something of a family trade for Rheanna who was taught to paint by her mother Wendy, an accomplished artist and Aboriginal educator.
"Mum taught me how to paint so I've always been inspired by her through her artworks as I was growing up and then I developed my own style as I got older. But she's someone who I reach out to when I need advice for my designs."
You can visit Rheanna's website at https://www.ngandabaa.shop/ and follow her on Facebook and Instagram pages. She has worked with the AFL, Reach Out Foundation and the Fred Hollows Foundation and has a number of future projects in the pipeline.
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