Two time Olympic and Commonwealth Games boxer and proud Dunghutti man Brad Hore has designed a First Nations artwork that will form a key part of the Australian Sports Commission's (ASC) identity.
Titled Kinship, the custom artwork created by the former Olympic boxer and AIS scholarship holder will assist the AIS in taking a further step towards its commitment to reconciliation.
To create Kinship, Mr Hore spent time at the AIS campus in Canberra, identifying key themes of the piece before travelling to Thursday Island to learn from Torres Strait Islander Elders to ensure the artwork represents all First Nations Australians.
Mr Hore said Kinship tells the story of the ASC's vision that sport has a place for everyone and delivers results that make Australia proud.
"In the middle we have a meeting place for junior athletes with footsteps reaching out to both women in sport and men as well," Mr Hore said.
"The Torres Strait Islander art represents the current which is the athletes coming in and out and the handprint represents the identity for any athlete that's coming in (to the system)."
Mr Hore designed the artwork to reflect how the ASC leads, supports and provides opportunities for all communities to be involved in sport while also growing elite success and inspiring future generations.
The ASC's focus on developing pathways, celebrating diversity and achieving success beyond the sporting agenda is also incorporated.
The ASC's Indigenous Liaison Officer and Walbunja man Erik Wilson said the artwork will help break down barriers.
"Not only will it provide the warm and welcoming context for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people visiting the AIS Campus in Canberra, but it'll let people know that the Australian Sports Commission acknowledges and welcomes people from all communities from around Australia," Mr Wilson said.
ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said the AIS wanted the design to reflect the country's identity by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of Australia in an authentic and meaningful way.
"We wanted to create something meaningful to be part of our identity and to represent the ASC and what we stand for," Mr Perkins said.
"As a leader in the Australian sports sector, we play an important role nationally and internationally and this artwork tells the story of the key role sport plays in the lives of all Australians.
"With the Green and Gold decade underway, Australia is fortunate to be hosting a number of major events. All of these people will walk on the lands of our First Nations peoples, and we have an opportunity and a responsibility to showcase the oldest living culture on Earth."
The artwork will be used in signage across the AIS campus in Canberra, the AIS' European Training Centre in Italy in addition to ASC's Melbourne and Sydney offices, on uniforms, through online platforms and on AIS publications.
