Sacred Circles

This painting maps the timeless beauty and cultural resonance of laraturunawn(Sundown Point) on Tasmania's wild west coast. The warm salmon-pink and coral tones capture the dramatic twilight skies of takayna, bathing the landscape in a sacred glow.
The concentric irregular circles mirror the ancient rock petroglyphs etched into the coastal mudstone slabs at Sundown Point, enduring signatures of the ancestors. Soft whites and mint greens trace the shifting sand dunes and coastal heath. Moving gracefully through the landscape, the prominent waving black dotted lines represent the physical and spiritual tracks of my Manegin ancestors, charting the traditional pathways and seasonal journeys of those who have protected and walked this rugged coastline for thousands of years.
laraturunawn is a place of deep listening. This artwork brings its ancient echoes into the light, celebrating the resilience and enduring spirit of Country.

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Born in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1947, Uncle Greg Matthews is a contemporary First Nations artist whose powerful creative art is anchored in his heritage as a descendant of the Manegin people from the North West Nation. His Totem is The Sea Eagle, and his language group is Peerapper.
His life journey has been shaped by pivotal, unseen forks in the road and times of deep childhood hardship over which he had no control. Yet, looking back through these trials, he believes a grander path was always mapped out, leading him directly to his true calling in art.
Driven by an immense pride in his culture, Uncle Greg views art as a sacred bridge to his ancestors and a vessel for breathing life into ancient stories. He works primarily with vibrant acrylic paints, meticulously sharing his cultural narratives through traditional dot work. The enduring spirit of his people flows through his veins, serving as the unbreakable foundation for both his life and his creative work. Today, he creates from a place of deep peace, happiness, and belonging. Through his art, he has found a beautiful community, surrounding himself with wonderful friends who walk alongside him on this creative journey.
Uncle Greg’s paintings and stories are derived from his own research & life experiences, in conjunction with the Traditional Manegin Tribal Lores & Customs that have since been passed on to him. He has developed his own unique contemporary Aboriginal art style, his art has been displayed in Hobart & Melbourne Galleries and displayed in commercial premises in both Melbourne & Sydney. Uncle Greg’s art has been acquired by collectors Australia wide & internationally. Selected designs of Uncle Greg’s art have also been commercially reproduced on high quality cotton fabric and is currently available internationally.
Uncle Greg has achieved local recognition for his art, and his art has won awards. His studio is in Berwick, Victoria.
He pays respects to the traditional owners of the land upon which his studio is located; he also acknowledges Aboriginal Elders past present and those who are emerging.