The Gubulla Munda - Carpet Snake- totem and protective Spirit of the Biri Gubba people in the Plantation Park, Ayr, North Queensland . It is a sacred site , occupied for thousands of years before Euopean occupation , during which time children were born on the creek banks and elders were buried there , including remains of some returned from the United Kingdom and placed to rest in their traditional land.
The monument was designed, constructed and sculptured by the late Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM and painted by many Aboriginal artists.
An Iranian born Baha’i who migrated to Australia in the 80s, Dr Daliri had a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a PhD in Education and a background in community development. He spent more than 30 years in the community services sector across Australia, initiating projects and programs towards a more cohesive and harmonious society.
Background information states he drew his knowledge from working in culturally complex situations in remote north Indian communities, his experience as a survivor of torture and a refugee, and over three decades working in remote communities from Tasmania to Far North Queensland with culturally diverse communities, service providers and government agencies.
Dr Farvardin used large scale public art to give a voice to marginalised communities and issues that were close to his heart. His sculptures included Indigenous Australians, Australian native animals and cultural symbolisms of peace.
Through his original abstract paintings, to giant crocodiles and a viral laughing kookaburra, which was featured on worldwide platforms such as The New York Times, CNN, and Buzzfeed, Dr Daliri was committed to bringing unity and cohesion to society through his artworks.
(Dreamtime. Snake. Peace.)
