Big hART opens new comic

Intergalactic rangers and giant cheeky teeth were just some of the creations to come from Big hART, Yijala Yala’s latest creative project.

The social arts group launched the third and final instalment of the Neomad interactive comic and a new music video at Roebourne Amphitheatre on Thursday.

The third edition titled Pork Chop follows the adventures of the Love Punks and Satellite Sisters, which are characters based on local young people.

The Love Punks and Satellite Sisters joined the celebrations with a glow-in-the-dark dance performance under ultraviolet lights.

The new music video titled Sugar features local singer and songwriter Tootsie Daniel, accompanied by young people dressed as giant teeth.

Ms Daniel said the song spread the message of healthy eating.

“I was doing a course in uni about Aboriginal health and it opened my mind to see how our kids always go to Caltex to buy Coke and things,” she said.

“It’s a message to our community about the sugar sickness — the diabetes.

“I wanted to give a message to the community and for the children, because if they want to be a strong leader in the community and be a strong man or woman, then they need to eat healthy.”

Big hART director Scott Rankin said Neomad had received worldwide attention.

“On one hand you can look at it as a piece of art that’s going really well, and on the other hand you can look at what’s being achieved in terms of educational goals and the future of Roebourne,” he said.

“We’re opening a few doors to show leadership across cultures and (for young people) to be able to communicate with the world.

“That builds participation in education and it builds the way in which communities communicate their own heritage.”