Brianna Martin has been invited to be a part of a bicentennial event in England, along with her commemorative artworks.
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What started out as an ancestral research project by her great auntie Lyn, turned into an adventure of a lifetime for Brianna.
When Lyn discovered their family ancestor, Samuel Hunt was part of the Pentrich Revolution in 1817, due to celebrate the 200th anniversary in Derbyshire this year, she asked Brianna if she wanted to contribute to the exhibition.
The 15-year-old Gloucester High School student soon got to work on a series of three dot/brush paintings that commemorate Samuel’s arrival in Australia.
The revolution was an armed uprising that began around the village of Pentrich, England on the evening of June 9, 1817, spanning into the early hours of June 10. Around 300 men marched towards Nottingham expecting to be part of a national uprising to overthrow the government.
A 29-year-old, Samuel Hunt of South Wingfield was among the protesters, whose efforts were quashed before they could reach Nottingham, as a result of a spy.
The three leaders were hanged and the rest were sentenced to prison time in Australia, Samuel getting life.
Due to Brianna’s Aboriginal ancestry, she chose to create paintings that are culturally significant, using dot technique and having Aborigines represented in her work.
She has depicted Samuel’s arrival to the Australian shores, heading up Parramatta River and his wedding.
Brianna has regularly sent updates of the progress of her painting to the organisers of the bi-centenary event and in return, she has been asked to exhibit her work and attend the event in England.
One of her pieces was chosen for the book cover recounting the protest, as well as featuring in a variety of commemorative memorabilia.
Brianna is excited about the idea of being part of this event, but she needs help to raise the funds to get there. She has set up a gofundme page and is asking for the community’s help.
“People can either donate or share the link,” she said.
To help Brianna visit www.gofundme.com/painting-my-way-to-england