Alicia Janz is a star ruckwoman, a great mate and an amazing artist; painting her boots for the inaugural AFLW Indigenous round.
Janz’s boots reflect her history, which lies in the Eastern (Meriam & Erubian) Islands of the Torres Strait.
Of the 14 inhabited islands, Janz's family resides on Mer (Murray), Masig (Yorke), Erub (Darnley) and Ugar (Stephen).
“In the past I’ve worn Indigenous painted boots in the WAFLW, but for our first AFLW round I really wanted it to be an Indigenous design from the Torres Strait." Janz said.
“So I thought, I’m Torres Strait, why not paint them myself."
The Torres Strait Islands are tightly nestled in between the Arafura and Coral Sea, just off the coast of Cape York in Queensland.
The island surroundings are incorporated into the designs which meld around Janz’s boots, including shark teeth, palm leaves, bamboo and shells found in the Torres Strait Islands.
“Things you would use around the islands, whether you would eat it, make shelter or trade with neighboring islands." Janz said.
“I tried to have a lot of that incorporated in it.
“At the very front on the top of the toe, I wanted it to be a dancer, and I wanted it to be a female because obviously we’re all women in AFLW."
At the back of the boots age-old traditions are displayed through the dhari, a dancer’s headdress which represents Torres Strait Islander culture.
“It’s worn in dance performances, and also features at the front and centre of the Torres Strait flag." Janz said.
“I definitely wanted that on there to represent who I am."
For further inspiration on the designs Janz researched artwork from the Torres Strait, and spoke to her mother and family who work for the Erub Arts Centre to find out what different patterns meant.
“A lot of people say that Indigenous artwork is the dot painting, a lot of my understanding is that that originally comes from the Northern Territory area." Janz said.
“So, within the Torres Strait, we probably don’t do dots, as such, ours is a lot like etchings.
“Usually, you would tell a story in the artwork, and usually that’s the main point within the feature.
“Normally surrounding it you would have all the things that represent island life.”
Janz’s boots encapsulate these intricate details, surrounding culture and tradition in the Torres Strait.
While it was her first time painting these artworks, Janz has still ensured herself and her Island's ideals are reflected throughout.
“I haven’t really had a lot of people tell me how to do the artworks, so I just wanted to have a go at it and learn more along the way," She said.
“Mum did say, ‘our family would be very proud of you doing the artwork.’"
To finish off her boots Janz has included her playing number, ’37’ on the tip of the tongue which also has underlying significance.
“I asked for number 37 at the Eagles, after watching the final quarter in and the ‘Australian Dream,’ documentary with Adam Goodes.
“I wanted to back everything he’s done, and wanted to show support in some way.
“If this is one way I can do it, then that’s worthwhile.”
