In tribute to First Nations’ people, Surfing Australia and agency BWM Dentsu launched a short film called ‘Welcome To Sea Country’ which rolled out during Reconciliation Week and explores the indigenous meaning of the Irukandji name and design for the Australian Surfing Team which is heading to Tokyo 2020.
The film features cinematic shots of seven-time Australian World Champion Stephanie Gilmore alongside soulful footage of Yirrganydji Traditional Owner Gavin Singleton and his community and it visualises the spiritual connection both surfers and First Nations people share with the ocean – known as ‘Sea Country’.
The film showcases the Aussie Olympic team’s visual design collaboration with indigenous artist Jasmine Craciun: which sees Craciun’s traditional line art and ripple effect concept overlayed with free-flowing tentacles cover the Australian team’s Tokyo 2020 kit, surfboards, accessories, transport, team jet skis and all of Surfing Australia’s internal assets.
The film launched on 7 June across Surfing Australia and Australian Olympic and Paralympic Team channels.
“We all have a role to play in reconciliation. No matter how big or small that role is, you just have to do something,” explained BWM Dentsu Executive Creative Director Marcus Tesoriero. “In a land surrounded by Sea Country, we hope the attention our newly uniformed Irukandjis team get heading to the Olympic Games plays a role in spreading recognition and respect, driving us all to build deeper relationships with First Nations people.”
Surfing Australia CEO Chris Mater added: “We thank Gavin and the Yirrganydji people for officially gifting us the Irukandji name. It means so much to the future of surfing in Australia. The designs BWM dentsu and Jasmine have created really bring that deeper connection to Indigenous culture to life. And that embedded respect for First Nations people now gives our athletes something much bigger to compete for on the world stage.”
The campaign was created by a team at creative agency BWM Dentsu which included Managing Director Brent Kerby, Executive Creative Director Marcus Tesoriero, National Creative Director Tom Denton, Indigenous Consultant Yatu Widders-Hunt, Designer Jasmine Craciun, BWM Dentsu Designers Jon Foye, Dutchy Baart and Alanna Rados, Editor Clare Conway, National Production Lead Lauren Reilly, Senior Integrated Producer Jess Campbell, Senior Account Manager Jess Walley, DOP (Surf Footage) Jon Frank and Justin McMillan and DOP (Interviews) Tommy Thoms.
The team also referenced thanks to Gavin Singleton and the Yirrganydji Land and Sea Program, Steph Gilmore and the Surfing Australia team, plus Anna Donohoe at Getty Images, Team Nikon and Cox Inall Ridgeway.
Comment:
This film follows on from the new ‘Sea Country’ identity and kit launch campaign which rolled out in May 2021.
One of the front running Olympic surf teams, Australian star surfers at Tokyo 2020 will include representatives across all surfing genres including Junior, Open, Masters, Longboard, Big Wave, Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) and Adaptive disciplines and all Aussie surfers will compete under The Irukandjis national identity and united colours at international events such as the Olympics, International Surfing Association (ISA), World Surfing Games, WSL World Juniors and Longboard Championships.
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