Gallery

Tidda - Sister

2020

This painting symbolises that special woman, that has been there for you. 

She has taken the journey with you and has been by your side through the tough times and the good. 

She has been to many places with you, through the highs and lows. 

Even if you’re on the other side of the world she is always there. 

This painting is dedicated to that special woman, my sister. 

Ngumba - Sometimes

2020

The colours I have used are to depict sandstone and earth and 

The symbols depict the journey our ancestors took before us. 

Like our ancestors before us, though their footsteps are barely visible now, they were here, and that is why we are here today. 

 As I continue my journey, I leave my footprint along the way. 

I was here 

My Happy Place

2020

As I continue my journey and my connection with my culture, I feel blessed to have come so far and to have finally reached my happy place.

This painting depicts the beautiful shades of the coast, with the warm sands and the glistening blue waters.

I celebrate life and the realisation that we are only here on this earth for a short time, so wherever it maybe, hope we find our happy place.

Baayi - Footprints

2020

I pay my respect to elders past and present and acknowledge the traditional owners of this land on which I was born and raised. 

In this painting you will see footprints that are barely visible.  

The colours I have used are to depict sandstone and earth and 

The symbols depict the journey our ancestors took before us. 

Like our ancestors before us, though their footsteps are barely visible now, they were here, and that is why we are here today. 

 As I continue my journey, I leave my footprint along the way. 

I was here 

Woven Series

Gunhinharrung - Grandmother

2021

I introduce this emotional and spiritual story through my style of Contemporary Aboriginal Art, a soft but very strong piece lovingly dedicated to Nan, for all grandmothers. From the centre, a large circular concentric shape that is my depiction of a traditional Aboriginal symbol for a campsite, or place of rest. The campsites central section is made up of carefully painted dots that together look like individual threads of fine art, each weave is lovingly painted to look really tight to represent the close-knit connection we have with our grandmother. In this piece, she is the campsite, in the form of a tightly woven basket. The head of the family that we can turn to when things aren’t making sense. Grandmothers sometimes don’t have much, by widening the circle, I demonstrate there is always enough to go around, and a safe place to rest. The colour story sees the strong earthy tones repeat depicting the generational connection to country. The palette for the entire piece is a purposeful blend of tones from the centre representing our connection to Country, blending outward in its woven style, to the feminine pink shades that (to me) represent a soft place to fall. As the circle widens and the colours blend out, carefully placed dots represent many grandkids who are all different threads from that common centre, and sometimes these threads unravel. It is often that campsite and a Nans love that weaves those threads back together. People have fond memories of this, like me. As the artist, I am proud to share my maternal family briefly through this story. Nan was Elsie Kennedy born near White Cliffs NSW and the story she frequently told us was that she was born at the butt of a tree. She met and married my grandfather Fred Gibson, an Aboriginal drover on country like both their fathers before them.

The family’s droving life led them to eventually settle near local landmark Dundullimal, on the outskirts of Dubbo NSW. Nan later lived in town in a tiny “commission” house, she didn’t have much but had walls that stretched to fit us all and more, food would also stretch, and no one was left hungry. I have many fond memories finding refuge and sense with Nan, like sleeping top and tail with Cousin Tess before finding my place in the world. This piece will represent anyone’s own story, to dedicate their own “campsite” of individual and sometimes complex threads, I hope it depicts those times most dear to our hearts. Until we meet again in that special place beyond, love you Nan x

Sweet Rain Series

Murrunga Yubaa - Sweet Rain Autumn

2021

I introduce this story of hope through my style of Contemporary Aboriginal Art. This piece, Sweet Rain –Autumn is dedicated to anyone that has been able to accept and grow when something is beyond your control, it’s about letting go like the leaves of Autumn. This spiritual story depicts the beauty and colour of the change in season, it is to reassure you that like the leaves will always fall, it is purposeful to make way for bountiful fresh new growth, albeit after what feels like a long tough winter. I hope the artwork will elicit joy in natural beauty; knowing a beautiful life is worth fighting for. The inspiration for the design is drawn from nature, it is my depiction of rain. The shapes are individually crafted Aboriginal rain symbols through my own artistic lens. You will see dotted cups at the bottom of each individually coloured block shaped rain drop. The overall composition depicts autumn leaves falling from the tree to the ground just like the rain from the sky to country at this cooler time of year. Autumn rain is akin to allowing yourself to be free and welcome the change and new growth, shedding your worries and letting go, like the leaves. The colour palette is inspired by the breath taking golden ochre yellow, orange, red ochre, and remnants of green Australian natives and of long shadows heading to the shorter winter days. It’s of ‘thick shed leaves on the ground reminding us to care for ourselves as we make our way. We are all different, allow yourself to be free and to welcome change for new growth. I hope this story inspires you to expect and accept change, that you are strong to endure so much and like each seasons beauty, I hope you see an amazing colourful world.  

Murrunga Yubaa - Sweet Rain Winter

2021

I introduce this reflective story through my style of Contemporary Aboriginal Art. This piece, Sweet Rain – Winter makes me want to declare a time for everyone to slow down a bit, chill, get away to a warmer climate, give yourself a break; I hope the artwork will allow you time to focus on yourself and your family, safe and warm while you wait for the warmth of spring.  The inspiration for the design is drawn from nature, it is my depiction of rain. The shapes are individually crafted Aboriginal rain symbols through my own artistic lens. You will see dotted cups at the bottom of each individually coloured block shaped rain drop.  The winter colour palette with dark blue, hints of grey, green and ochres, can be anywhere. Dependent on your perception or place, it is a seaside rainstorm, an icy inland scene or the mountains winter sky, there is still beauty shining through every day. The overall composition of short vertical lengths in strong individual colour lines represents the strong rains of the Australian winter. It picks up earthen tones as it cascades down on country. It invites reflection for what winter means to you. If it’s a time to hibernate for a while to make sense of things, that’s fine. Sometimes we don’t want to face the world, just curl up in front of a fire and watch the rain fall on the windowpane, or don a raincoat and get outside, jump in those puddles. 
There is a sense of clarity when the rains come then clear, everything is clean and bright for a while. Winter is a hard season to get through, even though it is, it shows your strength knowing the end brings on spring. Without winter, there is no spring, summer then autumn, that’s life. With gratitude for a warm place to rest out my winters and take shelter from the sweet rain, it is not like that for many doing it tough. This piece is for anyone that appreciates each season for what it is. I hope this story reminds you that you are strong to endure so much and see beauty in a colourful world so spring can follow with bountiful joy. 

Murrunga Yubaa - Sweet Rain Spring

2021

The rain collection is designed to ignite imagination and celebrate life! It signifies a rain drops journey from the clouds to the earth and its importance to all seasons. With a cup of delicate dots at the bottom of each colour block, this symbol, through my lens depicts individual gentle spring rain drops. In this piece” spring edition “I have explored bright, warm, and soft colours with subtle hints of green blue and earthen tones.  According to the seasonal calendar, Spring is a season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken, and the earth seems to come to life again after the dry cold. There are sun showers and Rainbows, that stretch far across our skies. These softer droplets cascade down to their resting place, once again filling our rivers and dams and giving life to the seeds that have laid dormant in the frost of winter.  As I continue my journey, truly discovering the amazing lifestyle connection of everything to country, I give thanks to the rain, it reminds me of the important things I cannot live without. A tribute to the beautiful life source that can be taken for granted. Seasons in life good or bad do not last, but in time rain will come again.  Have you ever taken the time to really see rain falling in all its beauty?  I hope this story inspires you to expect and accept change, that you are strong to endure so much and like each seasons beauty, I hope you see an amazing colourful world.