My name is Norman Stewart and I am a descendant of the Yorta Yorta and Kwat Kwat people. My connection to Country is through my great, great grandfather Bagot Morgan, who originated from Cummeragunja NSW, and also through my great, great grandfather Tommy McCrae, who originated from around the area of where Corowa and Wahgunyah is today. I was born along the south coast of NSW at a place called Berry to Norman Stewart Snr and Ellen Morgan.

I paint as often as I can in my spare time, the enjoyment and rewards I get from what can be produced on a piece of canvas with some pigments truly amazes me. Painting has been a great outlet which allows me to relax and express myself. I paint under the name of my great, great grandfather Tommy McCrae who was also known as Yackaduna who was recognised for his ink sketches.

Biami by Yackaduna.

South West Arts Hallway Gallery.

During the creative period, Ancestral Beings moved across the earth establishing the foundations of life. They created the features of our tribal lands of today – watercourses, hills, rocks, trees, plains and people. The most powerful Ancestral Being is called "Biami" and through Biami the great river "Dhungala" (Mighty waters), which we now know as the Murray River, was created.

Biami spoke in a voice of thunder, lightning flashed and rain fell, water came flowing down the track that Winyar and the snake had made. After many days and nights, Winyar came to the sea and went to sleep in a cave, while her dog ran off and kicked up the sandhills around the mouth of Dhungala. Moving through country, Biami left the colours of the rainbow, creating the Ochre Mine on country today. Biami sent his woman, "Winyar", down from the mountain country with her yam stick (digging stick) to dig for food. He sent his giant snake along to protect her as she journeyed across the flat and waterless plains. After walking for many weary miles, Winyar started drawing a line in the sand with her digging stick, and behind her came the snake, sliding in and out of the sand making curves along the river bed with his body.

Norm's artwork represents this creation, that has been passed through generations to generations. Biami's eyes represents the sun and the moon. The Broad Shelled Turtle is the totem of the Yorta Yorta Nation. The dog in Yorta Yorta language is "Buka"; Winyar the woman helped create "Dhungala". The eight eggs represent the clan groups, which make up the Yorta Yorta Nation: Kailtheban, Wollithiga, Moira, Ulupna, Bangerang, Kwat Kwat, Yalaba Yalaba and Ngurai-illiam-wurrung.