Garbage day is the most colourful day of the week on Montgomery Street in Ashmont, where a mother-of-four has been making Aboriginal bin stickers.
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Polly Wilson discovered her love of art during lockdown, and during the months of isolation she launched her own Aboriginal art business, Cosmic Culture Art.
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Around the same time a friend of hers started her own business, "Bindigenous", printing Ms Wilson's art onto stickers and plastering them on bins in schools and suburbs all around Australia.
Ms Polly's first customer was her neighbour Nikola Kinder, who proudly wheels out her rubbish bin onto the kerb come collection day.
"It's perfect for kids and it just brightens the neighbourhood. I was really proud putting my bins out this week," Ms Kinder said.
"Through COVID she's managed to hone her skills and give back to the community. It's not just about her making an income; she's got a passion, she's supporting local schools, she's doing things within the community."
Ms Wilson learnt how to paint from a cousin just over a year ago, but she has since developed her own colourful style that blends traditional and contemporary elements.
She now makes everything from stubbie holders, to coffee cups, to massive pieces of wall art for schools, which have all proved enormously popular.
Ms Wilson said she had no idea that it would become such a hit, saying it started off as a small side-project while working her regular day-job at Coles.
"I just wanted something really bright to get attract the kids and get them talking," Ms Wilson said.
"I've had really overwhelming support. I've got a really good support network, and I've met a lot of really lovely people in the art community. Now it's turning into a fully fledged business I hope I can keep it going."
She also hopes to spread positive messages throughout the Aboriginal community, starting from her own children who like to hear their mum explain the meanings, symbols, and stories behind the artworks.
Her bin artwork "Country to Coast" tells a story about unity, featuring different totem animals representing different Aboriginal mobs all coming together.
The message is particularly reflective of her own background, being born to a Ngemba Weilwan mother, growing up on Gamilaroi country in Wee Waa, and now living in Wiradjuri country in Wagga.
"No matter where you are, you're all one mob," Ms Wilson said.
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
