ADVANTAS ARTIST SERIES

Pathways to Home

The inaugural commission of the Advantas Artist Series celebrating the people, cultures and communities we proudly serve.

2026 FEATURED ARTIST

Mel Spillman (Woods)

Noongar Artist - Maarakool Art

Mel Spillman is a Noongar artist living and working on Whadjuk Boodja in Western Australia.

Her practice spans acrylics on canvas, digital design and large-scale murals. Through Maarakool Art, Mel keeps culture and heritage alive, always learning from the past and passing that knowledge forward.

“I am really passionate about telling stories through art, keeping my heritage and culture alive.”

Melissa Spillman
THE MEANING

Home is connection

“This artwork represents the Noongar lands on which communities live, grow, and gather.”

Pathways connect homes, families and neighbourhoods across Boodja (Country), acknowledging the enduring connection of Noongar people to Boodja. Places of belonging, where stories are shared, relationships are formed, and future generations are nurtured.

The design reflects the journey of finding home and the importance of community, respect, and connection to place. A house becomes a home through connection — to family, community, culture, and Country.

Pathways to Home
PROVENANCE

Certificate of Authenticity

Every original Maarakool Art piece is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming the artist, the story behind the work, and its provenance as a genuine Indigenous Australian artwork.

Certificate of Authenticity
MORE FROM MEL

Maarakool Art was created from a passion of culture, sharing knowledge and telling stories through art.

Our Cultural Partner

This collaboration was proudly facilitated by Zagul Biri, whose work creates meaningful connections between organisations and Aboriginal communities through cultural engagement, education and authentic partnerships.

From introducing us to Mel through to facilitating our cultural learning workshop, Zagul Biri helped ensure this collaboration was grounded in respect, understanding and genuine connection. We are grateful for their guidance and support in helping us begin this journey.

Zagul Biri

What is the Advantas Artist Series?

The Advantas Artist Series is an annual initiative that commissions local artists to celebrate diverse community stories. For our inaugural launch during NAIDOC Week 2026, we proudly feature Pathways to Home by Noongar artist Mel Spillman (Woods) of Maarakool Art. Featured across Advantas Property Group’s July marketing, this original piece highlights home not just as property, but as a profound place of belonging, family, and connection to Country, honoring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Advantas Property acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pays respect to Elders past and present. We recognise the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to land, waters and community.