About the Artist Rickie Martin started drawing and painting at the age of three under the guidance of his grandmother in Parkes NSW. He has continued to explore other mediums and create constantly since then. Rickie now lives in Melbourne and in 2022 discovered glass in the Glaas Inc First Nations Glass Workshop Program. He then went on to complete the Certificate III in Designed Glazing and is currently completing the Certificate IV at Melbourne Polytechnic. Recently, Rickie was awarded the Melbourne Polytechnic Indigenous Student of the Year Award for his dedication and excellence. In a very short time since learning glass art techniques Rickie has progressed to a very high level of creating glass art infused with his culture. Rickie has completed a piece of public art which will be unveiled at Melbourne Polytechnic's Collingwood campus; and is currently working on an installation 4metres x 3metres in glass for the campus. About the Artwork David Gulpilil was an inspirational person, he raised awareness of the ongoing struggles of First Nations People from an early age. His acting and performing career highlighted many of the issues and difficulties of First Nations people from the early 1970's and he continued this throughout his life and career. Rickie is also an inspirational activist for First Nations struggles and human rights for all and uses his art to raise awareness, to comment on issues and to inspire all to work together to create a better future. David's work as an activist and his strong inspirational spirit impacted Rickie from an early age and this artwork in glass is Rickie's tribute to the powerful work and spirit of David Gulpilil.