Bora Grounds
These markings and symbols relate specifically to the Waradjuri and were l was born and raised as a child at Narrandera and Warangesda Mission at Darlington Point. Here my mother my father and l lived in a tent on the Murrumbidgee River. In this area there was the largest Bora Ground that has ever been recorded. A Bora Ground is traditional meeting place. At Darlington Point the Bora Ground consisted of two large circles one 50 meters in diameter the other 30 meters and they were connected by a 500 meter pathway. Along this pathway there were ground carvings and 100 ornately carved trees with symbols, markings and the animals that are Totems of the Waradjuri.
It is these Bora Ground carvings and tree carvings that are now a strong part of my artwork today. These images are my connection to my Nguurrangbang (Waradjuri for My Land My Country My Place of Birth) and are part of what inspires me to paint. My inspiration comes from many things. Sometimes it will be the colors in a sunset or the unusual shape you will see in trees. I will sometimes paint a background and just allow the painting to develop on its own at its own pace. Or l will already see the painting in my head and put paint to canvas and paint
Artist CV
1987
Koorie Heritage Trust Art Exhibition – Melbourne Museum
1988
Doncaster Art Gallery
St Paul Cathedral
1990
Tribal Art Gallery – Melbourne
Njernda Museum – Echuca
Shepparton Civic Centre
1993
Warnambool TAFE
International Rotary Convention World Trade Centre
Warnambool Art Gallery
1996
National Gallery Victoria – Joint Koorie Art Exhibition
1997
ANZ Bank Cathedral Room Melbourne
Koorie Heritage Trust
1998
Murray Hotel Exhibition Rooms Echuca
1999-2000
New Directions Traveling Exhibition – Rio Tinto & The Department of Foreign Affairs, Paris, Geneva, Tokyo, Brussells, London, Manila, Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne
2000
Bungendore Woodwork Gallery Canberra
2001
Telstra House Adelaide
2002
City of Port Phillip “Bless Your Black Art Festival”
2003
Rug Exhibition Bunjilaka Centre Melbourne Museum
2004
Brisbane International Rotary Exhibition
Arts Victoria “Tribal Exhibitions 1 2 3”
2005
Queens Hall Parliament House Melbourne – Parliament of Victoria acquired 2 paintings which are on permanent display in Queens Hall
Sofitel Hotel Collins Street Melbourne
Australian Print Workshop Etchings Exhibited @ Federation Square & International World Expo Ichia Japan
2006
Commonwealth Games Melbourne
Manningham Gallery Doncaster City Council
Parliament House Victoria – 150 years Anniversary of State Parliament
2007
Echuca Port Gallery –Echuca Permanent Exhibition
2008
Paring Art Exhibition with the Koorie Heritage Trust
2009
Art Melbourne Exhibition Buildings Melbourne
Finalist in 2009 Victorian Deadly Art Award at Bosica Gallery, Flinders Lane Melbourne
2011
Finalist 2011 NSW Parliament Aboriginal Art Award
Touring Exhibition NSW Heritage and Environment
2014
Museum Victoria - Bunjilaka Centre “From Where I Stand; Place; Culture; Politics” Exhibition
NSW Parliament Aboriginal Arts Award- Parliament House Sydney
2017
Current Exhibition Altair Fine Art Gallery Wyndham Harbour Werribee
2019
Black Door Gallery Penrith – Sydney NSW - Current Exhibition
2020
Kevin Williams Gallery - Gunbower Victoria