In April 2023, I was driving home from work and saw the most stunning sunset over the Brindabellas. Canberra is known for its beautiful sunsets but this one was different. Soft pinks, yellow and orange contrasting with the baby blue sky.
These aren't colours I'm drawn to, or that I had ever worked with but I felt compelled to explore these colours through a painting.
This is what I created.
The 'My Country' series is inspired by my recent trip to Central Australia. Having not visited the country of my ancestors since I was a child, I was struck by the intense shapes, colours and landscapes. When I returned to my home in Canberra, I set to work, trying to use the colours and shapes of my art in new ways. When I look at these paintings I see rocks or mountains, night skies or rivers, desert flowers or stars. They represent my connection to both the Luritja deserts of my Nanna and the Kuku Yalanji beaches and rainforests of my Nanny.