Artist Spotlight: Jessica Lloyd – Sky, Land and Sea Country
Aboriginal Bush Traders is proud to celebrate artist-in-residence Jessica Lloyd and her specially commissioned artwork, Sky, Land and Sea Country, created for NT Cricket as the official stump gift for the 2026 National Indigenous Cricket Championships.
This significant piece reflects the deep connections between family, culture, and Country, while honouring the journeys that bring people together from across Australia to compete, connect, and celebrate through cricket. Guided by conversations with NT squad captain Rhys French, Jessica’s work captures the spirit of the Championships as a meeting place of stories, communities, and shared experiences.
At the heart of the artwork is the Southern Cross, painted to represent both Australia and a deeply personal Dreaming story from Jessica’s grandfather’s Country. In her family, the constellation is known as the eagle claw, tied to a moral story about a greedy uncle (the eagle-hawk) and his nephews (the pigeon and wagtail). This element connects Sky Country with ancestral knowledge and place.
Moving through the piece, three circles represent Nudagun, Jessica’s homeland north of Broome, on her grandfather’s Country. These circles symbolise the three springs that define the area—places of pause, reflection, and life, known for the butterflies that gather there. Nudagun also marks the beginning of an important Dreaming and Songline, grounding the artwork in cultural continuity.
A prominent gum tree anchors the central section, inspired by the iconic landscapes of Alice Springs, including the well-known tree at Traeger Park where cricket is played. Jessica often paints this tree within the story of the emu in the sky, where a magic warrior defeats the giant emu now seen in the stars. Beneath the tree, wildflowers bloom—everlastings and other native species—reflecting both Alice Springs and Mullewa, where Jessica’s grandmother was born. These flowers are also a tribute to time spent painting alongside her nan.
At the base of the artwork, two turtles and starfish represent the coastal waters of Mackay and its vibrant sea life. The green sea turtle holds particular significance for Jessica’s mother and sisters, weaving another layer of family connection into the story.
Uniting all elements is a flowing pathway of footprints, symbolising people travelling from all corners of Australia to gather through cricket. This connecting thread speaks to movement, unity, and the shared cultural space created by the National Indigenous Cricket Championships.
Sky, Land and Sea Country is a powerful expression of storytelling through art—where Sky, Land, and Sea are not separate, but interconnected through family, memory, and journey. Jessica Lloyd’s work reminds us that every gathering carries stories, and every story strengthens connection to Country and to each other.
Aboriginal Bush Traders is honoured to support Jessica’s practice and share her work with a broader audience through this meaningful collaboration.
NT Cricket | Jessica Lloyd | Article - National Indigenous Championships
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