Our first featured artist is Tassie Terry. Not surprisingly she is a Tasmanian Aborigine. As noted earlier Tasmanians were the first Australians, therefore its first artists. Tasmanian art is just now getting re-discovered. As such is makes for a good investment piece. No collection of Australian art is complete without a painting from our island state. ..
Here is a little about the artist in her own words: -
"I was born in Hobart and spent my youth in Tasmania. The beauty of my birthplace has had a lasting influence on me. Majestic mountains rise straight up from the broad shores of the Derwent River. Mt. Wellington has snow on top for part of the year. In my travels the only place I have visited that could be compared to Hobart is Capetown in South Africa. Vancouver in Canada has some similarities to Hobart as well. I am presently living in N.S.W. My husband’s peoples originate from here in the Hunter Valley. In accord with Aboriginal traditional law and custom I am now a full member of the Wonnarua nation, my husband’s grandmother’s people. I paint Wonnarua stories from time to time. Like all Tasmanian women I feel an affinity for things in the ocean. For centuries we swam, dived and kept the heath group supplied with shellfish. One of my husband’s people have the dolphin as their symbol, and I sometimes include them in my paintings. I include details with each painting as to why I paint what I did. As mentioned earlier I have had the opportunity to travel to a number of parts of the world. I have also done voluntary work in the Pacific Islands. I learnt some of the local languages and the local customs. This has helped me to understand my identity as a Tasmanian Aborigine and the deep-rooted attachment I feel to the beautiful land of my birth. To realise that my ancestors have lived there for countless centuries just reinforces that feeling in a way other Australians do not always understand. I have always been interested in the history and customs of my people. This interest started even before I learnt that I was Aboriginal. I was very fortunate that during primary school a number of my teachers had taught on Flinders and Cape Barren Islands in the Bass Strait, which were the main centres of Tasmanian culture at that time, and passed their knowledge on to me. I now have a passion for Aboriginal languages and how they relate to Pacific Islander languages and am hoping to start on an intense study of the Wonnarau language in the near future. My time living overseas has also helped me to appreciate the differences (some subtle, some anything but that) that exist between tribal groups in Australia and how this affects their art.
I do not like to talk about my abilities (or otherwise!) as an artist. I prefer other people to be the judge of that. However as someone who has shown an interest in Aboriginal art I guess it is only fair to you that I tell you a little about Tassie Terry. I did a little aboriginal-style painting as a youth in Tasmania. It has only been fairly recently that circumstances have led me to resume painting. Some of my non-indigenous friends have encouraged me to take lessons to refresh my skills etc., but I have stubbornly refused to do this as I want my work to be as Aboriginal as possible.
As mentioned earlier I have a great interest in our culture and in recent times have read as many book on Australian art as possible. I now feel confident that I know a reasonable amount about art styles from all over Australia. Of course I paint as a Tasmanian, I have no need or desire to copy anyone else’s style. One of the purposes of my paintings is to show the world the diversity of our art. It is not all dot painting. In the 21st century our art reflects how we see ourselves as Aboriginal people and how as Aboriginal people we see the world. It helps us confront the massacres and other injustices of the past. I like to educate people about Tasmania; its animals, birds and history. My paintings have been well received. I am listed as an artist in Art Galleries here in the Hunter Valley, and have had exhibitions of my work shown in different galleries. I have shown my work in shows and been hung in some prestigious art competitions which only accept quality entrants. (Much to my surprise & delight I won my first prize less than 18 months after my first entry.) Most of these have been general art competitions in which I have had almost the cheek to enter my work against landscapes and portraits etc by some well-known artist here in Australia. Our art (though not necessarily mine!) is equal to any other in the world. My paintings are now on at least three continents. The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark have one of my paintings. We have some very talented Aboriginal artists here in the Hunter Valley and I am pleased and humbled by the praise I have received from those who have seen my work. However, it is up to you as an individual as to how you judge my art. If you like a piece fine; if you don’t it is pointless saying what “experts” may have said or not said about that particular piece. Tasmanian art and culture is only now starting to get worldwide exposure and the appreciation by art-lovers that it deserves. If my efforts contribute in some small way to this, I will be well pleased."
Our second artist is from N.S.W. Kelly Griffiths is very well known as an artist in the Hunter Valley. Though a Gamilaroi woman originally from Gunnedah she has lived in Maitland for most of her life. Anyone visiting the Hunter can see Kelly’s work, the council has had her paint out-door areas. Her work has also been featured in quite a number of local exhibitions. As well as being trained in art, Kelly has been extensively involved in teaching Aboriginal children many aspects of aboriginal culture, including art. Kelly’s family is very active in many local aboriginal organisations. Kelly has had training in aboriginal archaeological activities; which she still works at from time to time, so has a good knowledge of our customs & culture. In her own words “I love fine detail & colour. I am heavily influenced by my parents, my culture as well as Vincent van Gough & the 1960's.”
Our Artists Biographies
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Another of our artists is Adam Hintermire who was born & raised in the Hunter Valley near Maitland. His father is from a N.S.W. tribe a little to the north of the Hunter Valley. His mother's people come from north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, around the greater Barrow Creek area. He has spent several years with his mother's extended family learning among other things their customs & art forms. Adam paints quite a variety of styles. His work is usually sold in the Todd Gallery in Alice Springs. (He sometimes passes on interesting works from cental Australian artists to me.) So far I have only managed to get one work out of Adam; but hope to have more in the future.
Louise Bayliss was born in 1978, in WARADJURI Country, Dubbo, NSW. She completed her fine arts degree in 2004. A little about her in her own words:- "My Aboriginality comes from my Dad's mother’s side, he comes from Bourke in NSW and my great grandmother comes from Cullamulla which is on the border of NSW and QLD. I was born in Dubbo but recently lived in Queanbeyan (near Canberra ACT), Sydney and now in WA. I like to create in many ways such as using natural materials from the land and acrylics on canvas. The main interest for my Art lies within my passion and love of nature, the feminine & Mother Earth, connecting me to all of creation. In knowing I can make this connection, I am able to freely express my sensitivity in relation to my family line and spirituality. It gives me a sense of achievement and gratitude within to paint these special pictures to help others, for whatever reason you are buying one of my pictures, know that the picture is symbolic in reaching your soul in such a way to give you personal reflection within, healing or simple gratitude of the love and life that’s around you. I hope you enjoy the healing and peace of my pictures as much as I have creating them."
