Kaurna artist Gabriel Stengle's interpretation of the journey of the women's football community has taken the form of a Sherrin and her design will be on the balls during this weekend's AFLW Indigenous Round, and continuing next weekend.

Photographs Alex Skapetis

Tell us a bit about yourself, Gabriel. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Salisbury North going to Salisbury North Primary and Paralowie High School. I am 1 of 6 children and am the only girl. Art and Sport were a very big thing in our household I played Premier League netball for Garville netball club and am now a proud life member designing the Indigenous Round dress for the club as well as now having an Aboriginal program within the club.

How did art find its way into your life?
Art has always been a huge part of my life, my nana Cecelia O’Loughlin was an amazing Aboriginal artist. Her home was always filled with art and projects with canvas’ and crafts always being worked on. My uncle Jacob Stengle was also a well-known Aboriginal artist whose works have always inspired me, he taught me a lot about those painting but also a lot more about being a storyteller.

How would you describe your work?
My artwork would be described as contemporary Aboriginal art in the fact that I use a variety of colours and am now starting to a lot of digital pieces as well. The work I do is usually for individuals so I’m really telling their stories through Aboriginal art using symbols to tell a story.

How did the project to design the artwork for the ball used in the AFLW’s Indigenous Round come about?
The project for the AFLW Sherrin ball came to me through the AFL, Kat who worked at the AFL found and loved my artwork and approached me about doing the design. I also have a big brother who played for the Sydney Swans Michael O’Loughlin and having 5 brothers who all played footy really drew them to me as being the only girl with a big connection to footy. Another big thing for the AFLW was I’m also now a mum of 4 girls with my eldest daughter Riki-Lee playing footy for her local club. Being able to do this design was really for my girls knowing that they have a connection to footy, but they can also achieve a higher level just like their uncle, and they can enter and play being proud of their culture because it’s celebrated writing the AFLW and community level.

Tell us about the elements of the design.
The design itself was supposed to emulate a coolamon which is a tool predominantly used by women, to hold children, collect fruits and berries or even to dig. Coolamons usually have designs painted or burned on them and I wanted the ball to have that effect. The reason I chose emulations of the coolamon was because the ball would be carried by all of the AFLW players and would be on its own journey.

What else are you working on at the moment?
I recently won a contract through Guildhouse and the Adelaide Airport, it was down to myself and 2 other artists to come up with a design and present it to the board. I was so grateful to be chosen and I am now in the process of working on 3 large canvas’ as well as a digital print that will be proudly displayed in the International arrivals area welcoming visitors from all over the world.