Bringing a new painting home to Burgmann
When Principal Dr Brenda Holt arrived at Burgmann College in November 2025, she carried with her a clear vision: to transform the entrance foyer into a space of presence — one that welcomes every visitor to the College and reflects our deep respect for the enduring cultures of Australia's First Peoples.
To bring that vision to life, Director of Advancement Amelia Zaraftis turned to a trusted friend of the College: alum and London gallerist Rebecca Hossack. Rebecca's recommendation was immediate and clear: Burgmann should look to collect the work of Naomi Hobson, an Aboriginal Australian artist of Kaantju and Umpila heritage who lives and works on the traditional lands of her ancestors near Coen, in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland.
Amelia travelled to Rebecca's London gallery and saw Naomi's works firsthand. There, among the paintings, was Seven Flowers Ingkawa. Vibrant, layered and full of life, the large-scale acrylic on linen speaks to Naomi's family history and Country.
Of the painting, Naomi writes:
Ingkawa is inspired by my grandmother and her sisters; they had song for every season. Each song is a connection song. It connects us to our ancestor, yuka, the morning star. This painting is when my grandmother and her sisters would sing yuka, to connect them to place where the Scarlet Gum tree comes in flower. The singing belongs to an increase ceremony for the ladies to gather abundance of up'u, the wild honey, from the tree hollows and rock holes.
Naomi's work is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, and many of the nation's other leading institutions, and was recently the subject of a major tapestry commission for the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. To welcome a work of this calibre into Burgmann's foyer is a rare opportunity, and one Rebecca was determined to help us seize, pledging 25% of the painting's cost as the founding gift. Rebecca’s generosity set the fundraising effort in motion and gave the College the confidence to pursue the acquisition in earnest.
That momentum carried through to a wonderful fundraising dinner held in Melbourne in June, where Rebecca was reunited with several Burgmann friends from decades past. Thanks to the contributions of those who attended and others who have since come forward, we have now raised 40% of the funds needed to bring Seven Flowers Ingkawa home to Burgmann.
Burgmann College is committed to continually growing our collection of works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. Works in our collection are part of the fabric of college life; present in our dining spaces, study rooms, governance meetings and offices, marking our respect for First Peoples' knowledges and cultures.
We warmly invite your support in helping us bring this significant and beautiful painting home to Burgmann through a gift to Indigenous Art Fund.
To get involved or for more information, please contact Director of Advancement Amelia Zaraftis, or support the acquisition today via our online giving form.
