Garruka

Arts

About My Artwork:

My artwork is a mix of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art which varies in style, colour and medium, such as bright vibrant colours, traditional earthy tones, dots, linework, ink drawings and carvings of traditional weapons and tools used by the Thunghutti people.

I started out mainly using dots in the background of my artworks, until I learned that the Thunghutti people mostly used linework and diamond style patterns, so I decided to try my hand at that style and add my own kind of style into it by trying it first in my black and white ink drawings.  I really enjoy this style of art and began to incorporate it into my paintings, alongside dots and also into my carvings, in the form of wood burning some designs into them.

I get much of my inspiration from the country around me; the plants and animals, natural landmarks, waterways, etc.  Sometimes though, I’ll just think of a design and I’ll immediately try to bring it into reality somehow, either through painting or drawing.  I always carry a sketch book with me, in case I have ideas that I want to use in future pieces of art.

I began my carvings around the age of 15.  I try to recreate some of the artefacts of the old people.  I carve boomerangs, spears, clubs, shields and many other wooden tools.  I have also recently began carving stone axe heads and emu eggs. I feel as strongly about carving as I do about painting and drawing, and I feel that these are amazing methods of teaching others about my culture and helping to educate the younger generation.

Bringing to life designs and carvings the way I do gives me a sense of pride, knowing that I’m helping to keep my culture alive and that I am able to show off my artwork to the wider community, and hopefully the world.

What Country Means to Me

like I’m walking where my great ancestors once set foot, seeing the beautiful lands on which we have lived upon for thousands of years. To me, country is more than just the land we stand on.  Country is home.

Country, to me, is a sense of belonging.  It is a very spiritual thing that gives me a sense of strength and happiness and also the feeling of having my ancestors with me.  Feeling the power that country has is such a strong thing.  When I’m on country, I feel a sense of safety and comfort;