To Swim Side by Side – Wani-Wani Watina

By Chern’ee Sutton Age – 25 years Size – 151cm wide X 101cm high Medium – Acrylic and textured acrylic on canvas To Swim Side by Side – Wani-Wani Watina My name is Chern’ee Sutton and I am a contemporary Indigenous artist from the Kalkadoon people from the Mount Isa area in Queensland. This is my interpretation of “Wani-Wani Watina” which means in the Kalkadoon language “To swim side by side”. To Swim Side by Side is a story of connection, a celebration of the ocean as a place where life flows together in harmony. Beneath the surface, every movement is part of a greater rhythm. The currents carry ancient stories and traditions and every ripple speaks of unity, balance, and a shared journey. This painting captures the beauty of togetherness where every creature moves with purpose and every space is filled with colour, light, and life. From the coral gardens to the deepest blues, the ocean holds a delicate balance, a dance of respect, instinct and belonging. Flowing lines represent the tides and the unseen pathways that link all living things. Community symbols symbolise gathering places where journeys begin, stories are shared, and kinship is honoured. Each brushstroke holds the energy of the sea and the spirit of the connections that live within it. This is not just a glimpse into the underwater world, it is a reflection of what it means to move through life side by side, guided by nature, grounded in culture, and held together by something greater than ourselves.