Robert Young

36" x 36"

Print on Canvas

$750

The inspiration for this piece came from looking at what stigma is like for me given the skin and culture that I was born into. It also came from the revelation that I am beautiful and that I am made in the image of God and that I am his. When we let stigma, our sin, or the sins of others affect us,then we let shame overcome us. The stigma we feel can be due to our environment, or the way people look at the issues or problems we might have lived through, or even what we think people might not like about us.

Robert Young is Gunnai and Waradjurie man; these are some of the First Nations Tribes in Southeastern Australia. He was raised in the church, and saw the stigma and prejudice people can have just because of your race and the colour of your skin—both in and out of the church. He has learnt to be still and know that God is great, to listen to his heart and surrender it all at his feet, and to not listen to the words or thoughts of others. He is holding onto the identity that he has in Christ and not letting the failing words of man sway him.