Through colour, symbolism and storytelling, Sonny and Sadie Green have created a mural that honours family, culture and the evolving journey of Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
On the rooftop at St Andrew’s Cathedral School two artists are deftly bringing a mural to life, full of bold shapes and colours. Siblings Sonny (OA2012) and Sadie Green (OA2021) are alumni of both Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School, and have had a big influence on the creative studio Original Legacy along with two other Old Andreans.
They were commissioned to develop a mural for our St Andrew’s House rooftop which is made up of two different works of art. The half closest to the canteen depicts traditional food sources including kangaroo, emu and yams, all done in rich earth colours.
The other half evokes the coast with light blues and whites and is full of local Sydney floral imagery. Overall, this part of the work represents the journey of growth for Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School communities over the years. The human footprints move from one campsite to another, representing the story of Gawura School from its inception to where it is now. Linking both halves of the mural are kangaroo tracks.
Rivers in Indigenous art can often be shown as a way of passing on knowledge, flowing from one area to another. In this mural, the rivers are representative of the Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School communities: growing, learning and adapting over time.
Sonny and Sadie are Gamilaroi people and their family originates from Moree and Brewarrina. Sadie was one of the longest attending Gawura School students from K-12. Sonny was at the School from Years 8-12.
As they paint, they talk about some of the highlights from their time as students. Sonny loved doing Visual Arts at school and completed his HSC major work.
Sonny said: “I really valued the strong friendships I made and still have good friends from my time there.”
Sadie loved doing sports at St Andrew Cathedral School and was Year 6 Gawura School Co-Captain.
Sadie reflected: “Back when I started at Gawura School, students were all in one area, and it was very reassuring to be able to look around through the day and see my other siblings there.
“It’s a real full circle moment coming back here to do the mural. It’s interesting to see what has changed and what has stayed the same.”
Sonny spoke about the importance of the mural: “It’s significant having two Indigenous students with a deep history with St Andrew’s Cathedral School coming back to share their lived experience in a mural.
“Children from my family were students at the School between 2007 and 2021 and so our family story is intertwined with this community and place.”
Sonny has created art for many businesses, including NITV, The Star Casino, State and Commonwealth government departments as well as universities and schools.
Sonny mentioned when he finished school, it was his artwork that gave him an income and he often sold his art through his networks from the School. Then for a few years he stepped away from art, taking up roles in the health sector. However, when COVID hit he decided to step back into art as a full-time enterprise.
Sadie recently discovered a passion for pottery and has released her first batch of ceramics with Original Legacy.
Sonny and Sadie’s family have a wide range of artists among it and so art has always been a big part of their life.
Sonny talked about how his father does very intricate paintings around animals, especially relating to hunting.
“For me, I’m really interested in plant life and florals.”
This beautiful project was funded by the Parents & Friends Association, the Old Andreans Association and the Waratah Project.
