Booton (nets). In memory of Oscar.

Inspired by the Biripi tradition of weaving fishing nets for sustenance - an integral aspect of living on country. While completing this work I received the tragic news of the sudden, unexpected death of one of my patients - a beautiful boy called Oscar who came from one of the Aboriginal tribes of Western Australia. I hadn’t known him for long but I knew his struggles were overwhelming and I faced the awful reality of seeing him unable to access the health systems that should have been able to help him. As I painted this painting, I cried and reflected on the trap nets that held him trapped in his life and in his mind, as well as the absence of those protective safety nets that we all should have in place as members of the human family and community. I still grieve for him and pray that he is at rest now. I wanted to dedicate this work to him so that he is not forgotten. He will always be in my heart.

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I am a Biripi artist of the Mid-North Coast of NSW and member of the Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Lands Council. I grew up in Armidale NSW on Anaiwan Country and was born in Maitland on Awabakal land. My Aboriginal heritage is Gringai-Biripi-Worimi on my mother’s side. I descend from the Field-Pritchell family of Gloucester/Dungog. My great great uncle (Field) settled in Scone.

My art is about expressing my family story and connection to country through themes of journey and displacement, discovery and the traditional ties to my people related in symbols and stories passed down through the generations. I like to connect these ideas to the land by visually representing the rivers and borders of Country topographically.

I am also an enthusiastic printmaking artist and produce hand pulled linocut prints as well as the acrylic paintings.

I am a doctor in training working on Gumbaynggirr Country and am passionate about improving health care for our people.

Although my skin is not black, my spirit is, and my Aboriginal heritage runs deeply in my blood. Despite dispossession, fragmentation and forgetting, I am so proud to connect to my culture and to others through my Aboriginal art.