It is a brand-new year and I am pleased to report to the House that I have a brand-new series of artworks in my office. Tonight I recognise Maria Brockman as the latest Artist in the Spotlight and celebrate the creativity she brings to our local community. A regular at the boatshed group, Maria's work is deeply personal and grounded in identity, belonging and cultural memory. She explains:

"My work explores identity, belonging, and cultural memory through the depiction of Australian animals. As a Bolivian Australian with Indigenous South American heritage, I have found parallels between my ancestral homeland and the environment I now call home. This body of work brings together iconic Australian animals with visual influences from South American Indigenous textiles, patterns, and colour traditions. These works represent my ongoing process coming to terms with my identity, acknowledging where I come from, where I live now, and how these experiences coexist within me."

I am proud to showcase Maria's work. I thank the Liverpool Art Society for continuing our partnership into the new year.