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For this assignment, I decided to visit the “40,000 Years Mural” outside of Redfern Station. This piece of art is something that I pass on a routine basis, but I never have taken the time to examine and truly appreciate the work. As I walked up to the station from my apartment, the first thing I noticed was parts of the mural were guarded by a fence. On this fence was a sign that stated “Warning, Private Property. Respect our children by not drinking or using drugs in our community! Aboriginal Housing Company LTD.” Instantly, this informed me of the state of the area I was entering. Once I reached the plaque of the mural (directly across from Redfern Station), I was shocked at the condition the mural was in. This never fully registered to me until I saw what the mural was supposed to look like as depicted on the plaque. The mural that stood in front of me was deteriorated that I couldn't recognize it from the picture on the plaque.  I learned that the mural was painted in 1983 to “mark a sense of place and identity for Aboriginal Redfern,” (40, 000 Years is a Long, Long Time). The issue is, the aboriginal communities are often oppressed and ignored, and the condition of the mural reflects this. Bottles of beer and trash lie straight in front of a sign pleading people to not drink or use drugs in their community. The plaque describing the mural states that “the Mural presents the stories, struggles and histories of Aboriginal people,” (40, 000 Years is a Long, Long Time). In my opinion, one of the most powerful parts of the mural was the adaptation of the Yin Yang symbol. In the circle, one side was labeled “Unity” and the other “Loneliness.” I interpreted this as representation of the disconnect that many current aboriginal people feel today. In modern society, there are not many ways that someone of aboriginal decent can feel connected to their culture. In return, this brings loneliness. This piece emphasizes the importance of connection between aboriginal people and their culture. I believe that this can be achieved through expression in art. Maintaining this mural means maintaining the connection between aboriginal people and their culture. Finally, I think one of the most powerful parts of  the “40,000 Years Mural” was the “Eora Country” section. This one really affected me. Throughout the entire semester, we have learned about how respectful and gracious aboriginal people are to the land that they live on and the history it holds. After colonization and the gentrification of the area, traditional aboriginal land has now been reduced to a tiny plot of land barricaded by a chain-linked fence. Before I moved to Australia, I was completely ignorant to the area to which I was moving. I was unaware of the history and current issues that are being faced. For the rest of my stay in Australia, and in particular, Redfern, I will have a newfound respect (and guilt) for the history behind the area and the original inhabitants of it.