Creating Doorways to Reconciliation for dormakaba’s Reflect RAP

I’m proud to share the artwork and Reconciliation Action Plan document I created for dormakaba Australia’s Reflect RAP, titled Doorways to Reconciliation.

This project was a beautiful opportunity to bring together Aboriginal storytelling, contemporary design, and dormakaba’s journey toward reconciliation. As an Aboriginal artist and graphic designer, I always see RAP artwork as more than a visual piece. It needs to hold meaning, tell a story, and create a strong connection between the organisation, its people, and the reconciliation commitments they are making.

For dormakaba, the artwork was created to reflect their role in access, safety, security, connection and the places that matter. The story behind the artwork represents dormakaba’s reconciliation journey and their commitment to unity, respect, inclusion and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At the centre of the artwork is dormakaba, represented as a central gathering place. This symbol brings people together with shared purpose, respect and commitment. Surrounding this are symbols connected to the key areas of reconciliation, including unity, race relationships, equality and equity, historical acceptance and institutional integrity.

Throughout the artwork, pathways and footprints represent the journey of learning, listening and walking together. These pathways show that reconciliation is not a single action, but an ongoing journey built through respect, understanding and connection. The land and sea elements represent dormakaba’s presence across Australia, from inland communities to coastal places, while the map of Australia acknowledges their national footprint across all states and territories.

Other symbols within the piece also connect strongly to dormakaba’s identity. The shield symbol represents protection, security and innovation, reflecting the work dormakaba does in creating safe and reliable access solutions. The boomerangs represent the sharing and returning of knowledge, services and relationships, showing the importance of respectful exchange and ongoing connection.

The process began with creating the original canvas artwork. Each section was carefully planned and painted to bring the story to life through colour, movement and symbolism. Once the canvas was complete, I then recreated the artwork digitally by hand, carefully redrawing the elements so they could be used throughout the RAP document while still keeping the depth and feeling of the original artwork.

This digital process allowed the artwork to become more than a single image. Individual elements were used throughout the RAP document to create borders, page features, symbols, backgrounds and visual connections across the design. The red, blue, white and black elements help carry the story from page to page, creating a strong and cohesive visual identity for dormakaba’s Reflect RAP.

Designing the full RAP document was just as important as creating the artwork itself. A RAP document needs to feel professional and easy to read, while still honouring the cultural story behind the artwork. My goal was to make sure the artwork supported the content, rather than overpowering it, and that each page felt connected to the broader reconciliation journey.

This project also reflects the importance of organisations engaging Aboriginal artists in a meaningful way. When artwork is created with story, purpose and respect, it can help people connect more deeply with the commitments written in a RAP. It becomes a visual reminder of the journey, the responsibility, and the relationships being built.

I’m grateful to have worked with dormakaba on this Reflect RAP and to have created an artwork that represents their first steps in this reconciliation journey. Doorways to Reconciliation is a story of connection, shared responsibility, trust and positive change.

For me, this artwork is about opening pathways, creating safe spaces for learning, and recognising that reconciliation is something we all walk together.

View the RAP here: https://www.dormakaba.com/au-en/news/dormakaba-reconciliation-action-plan