Bendix Racing has unveiled its Darwin livery ahead of the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship Indigenous Round.
The design is inspired by a specially created artwork for Bendix by Wadawurrung country artist Billy-Jay O’Toole from Geelong, Victoria.
It highlights Bendix’s commitment to honouring First Nation’s culture, with meeting places on the painting shown as a sign of journeying, representing the different locations Bendix gets to see through Supercars racing.
Eucalyptus leaves are embedded into the artwork to showcase Bendix’s passage on country, to welcome and cleanse all while they are on country.
Adjacent to the front wheels on each side of the car are two different birds which are important in the Wadawurrung Country creation story.
Pawan, the magpie, sang to the first sunrise on Wadawurrung Country, while Waa, the crow, is the protector of Wadawurrung Country.
The return to Hidden Valley Raceway this weekend has huge significance for Matt Stone Racing following the team’s maiden Supercars race win last year.
Bendix Racing driver Nick Percat has already picked up a win for MSR this year, the team’s second, at the Australian Grand Prix, and also has a podium record at Darwin himself.
The Darwin Indigenous Round begins with practice on Friday.
QUOTEBOARD
Nick Percat – Driver of #10:
“Stoked to finally be able to show everyone our Bendix Indigenous livery for Darwin. It’s always an exciting round with all the special liveries celebrating First Nations culture, and the team at Bendix and MSR have done a fantastic job with Car #10. It’s also a round with some good history after last year’s win for MSR and my podium in 2017, so hopefully we can walk away with some Didgeridoos this year.”
Billy-Jay O’Toole – Artist:
“I’m thrilled to have partnered with Bendix to develop this unique artwork that celebrates Bendix’s relationship with Wadawurrung Country. The story has strong local elements and also highlights Bendix’s commitment to honouring First Nation’s culture. I can’t wait to see the artwork on the Bendix Racing Camaro on track in Darwin.”
CONTENT:
Artist bio: Billy-Jay O’Toole
Billy-Jay O’Toole is a proud Wadawurrung man born and raised in Wadawurrung country in Geelong, Victoria. He is a recognised Traditional Owner and member of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, where he works as a Cultural Heritage Representative. In 2019 BJ completed a Certificate 4 in Cultural Heritage Management enabling him to strengthen his cultural commitment to his country and community, whilst also strengthening his cultural connection to family and country. Working on his country reignited BJ’s spirit of painting. Walking this country and learning from country in a Field Officer role, BJ tells stories through painting, of which he has created many stories of country. BJ is on a journey learning language and connecting this to his paintings and stories of Wadawurrung Country. His style is contemporary and always reflect the stories and colours of Wadawurrung Country, with the use of bright and earthy colours and symbols, as well as elements of country such as water, mountains, sun and coast – all of which give us what we need to live.
Explanation + story of artwork
“At the bottom of the artwork I’ve embedded a symbolism of the many hills and mountains in the region which are significant places and landmarks on Wadawurrung Country,” Billy-Jay O’Toole said.
“Above that there’s a line of cross hatching, a traditional marking honouring that we are on Wadawurrung Country. Then there’s a reference to the many waterways which were resources for Wadawurrung people for thousands of generations.
“Eucalyptus leaves are embedded into the artwork to showcase Bendix’s passage on country, to welcome and cleanse all while they are on country.
“The four birds shown in the painting also hold significance. Bunjil the wedged tail eagle was the creator of Wadawurrung Country 60,000 years ago – using his big powerful wings he created and carved the land to what it is today. Waa, the crow is the protector of Wadawurrung Country and is emotive to Bunjil. Kunawarra the black swan is present in the artwork, as one of the largest black swan populations is on Wadawurrung Country at Lake Wendouree.
“Pawan the magpie sang to the first sunrise on Wadawurrung Country, and is part of our creation story, so was important to include.
“Meeting places on the painting are shown as a sign of journeying, representing the different countries Bendix gets to see through Supercars racing. And the handprints signify Bendix employees and stakeholders’ commitment to honouring and celebrating First Nation’s culture by applying this artwork to its Supercar for the upcoming Indigenous Round.”
