Jemma Stewart
Madness

2023
acrylic on canvas
66 x 45cm

The painting madness tells the story of people
who lost everything, including their minds during
colonization. Many Aboriginal people across
Australia experienced the madness and confusion as
a result of what happened during those dark times.
The madness spread through communities, as the
attempt to wipe out indigenous Australians ensued.
This is shown through colors and symbols such as
yellow, which represents madness, as well as the
question marks hidden throughout the painting,
symbolizing confusion and chaos. The curved lines
appear to fit into one another and are clustered in the
middle. The lines spreading out towards the sides
of the canvas represent how thoughts can space
out and become more unorderly when experiencing
madness.