Meet The Artists

	Dhala Dhala is from the Garingbal people of Central Queensland. The name Dhala is from the Garingbal language and means water flower. Dhala has been creating her art for many years and uses the tales that have been passed down through the generations of her people - the stories of The Dreamtime and how the land and everything in it was created.
	Munthaea Born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Munthaea is a descendant of the Bidjara people from the Central Queensland area. Munthaea has a deep respect for both his people and their culture and always paints from the heart, using the medium of acrylics. His mother, also an artist, taught him to paint when he was nine years old; his grandmother is also very artistic. Munthaea has children of his own and is teaching them about their culture – they too are showing a talent in painting.
	Lionel Phillips Lionel comes from the Trangie in central western New S outh Wales. His Aboriginal name means “waterhole” in local Warradjerri dialect. Lionel started sketching 25 years ago. Ten years later, he began to express his Aboriginal culture and tribal history on canvas. This was, in essence, the re-birthing experience of Lionel Philips, a journey of self-discovery. He paints a wide variety of subject matter, depicting his indigenous folklore, Dreamtime and his actual life experiences. What you see in his work is a reflection of the wisdom and tradition of the oldest known inhabitants on earth.
	Leonie Roser Leonie is from the Inverell area, New South Wales, where many of her people still remain. Her family was part of the stolen generation, when families were broken up and children put into foster homes. Leonie started to paint at a very young age and her paintings depict her family life and Aboriginal heritage that comes from her inner self. She is from the Kamilaroi tribe.
	Anthony Loy Walker Walker’s indigenous heritage is of the Yiman/Gurreng Gurreng. He has enjoyed far-reaching success with many of his works held in public and private collections internationally, since 2002, in USA, UK, Italy, France, The Netherlands, Spain and Canada. In Australia, Walker’s works are in the collections of the Australian Government; Westpac Bank Coolangatta Branch; Brisbane South Bank Institute of Technology; Mayor’s Office, Gold Coast City Council. Walker has won many awards, among them the 2009 Oxfam Australia Aboriginal Art Reconciliation Award; 2008 Gold Coast Indigenous Art and Design Award; Coastal Arts Incentive Award; 2007 NSW Marine Arts Prize. His work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout the country. In 2008, Walker had a solo exhibition at the South Bank Institute of Technology, Brisbane, and was part of the of ‘Australian Contemporary Art’ group exhibition at RED Gallery, London, UK.
	Mungarran Mungarran is Peter Muraay Djeripi Mulcahy.Peter is a descendant of the Gamilaroi people of central northern New South Wales. His father’s (Bill Bulgai Mulcahy) people originated from the region of Mungindi and Bullamon Station on the Queensland/NSW border.Peter’s work reflects life as it was for his ancestors, whether as fine art, works on rock, stone, canvas, didge or in a framed range of products. The people, the spirits, the animals, hunting and gathering, music and dance, celebration and ceremony, all of these moments depict the great respect Aboriginal people held not only for their ancestors but for Baayama, the creater, the all shaper.Through both elaborate and simple acts, Aboriginal people lived out their spirituality on a day-to-day and moment-by-moment basis. Peter believes this same spirit lives today, in his art, stories and in the pride he holds for his people. Peter hopes that once again people will learn and feel the real living spirit that moves within us and our Mother Earth.
	Arthur Conlon Arthur Conlon comes from the Wakka Wakka tribe in south-east Queensland. His inspiration comes from both the fauna in the Kabi-Kabi region and his life as a tribesman on the land. He uses water-based paint and his paintings are based on hunting. The big circle (bora ring) represents a meeting place, while the smaller circles are the tribes and the land they inhabit. As there were not writing materials available, signatures were marked by blowing ochre paint over the hand onto a cave wall. This was seen as a mark of the local belonging to that area.
	John Turnbull John (Anaiwan language group) produces artworks using different mediums and materials. He paints on canvas, pottery, wood – on just about anything that anyone has ever asked for. He has even painted a surfboard for a client. John enjoys painting animals on bright backgrounds using the canvas as a non written form of communication, telling stories that are relevant to him and his people. John has been deeply involved with the Reconciliation movement and often supports our local Reconciliation group by supplying artworks for fundraising. The Gold Coast City Council has bought his art to send to China, as part of its sister cities programme. John often supports other local charities and his extended family as he hopes to pass on the benefits that come from his art and the lifestyle. In his art, John portrays aspects of his childhood, his life as it is now and what he hopes for his children and family for the future. He has been taught from older relatives from other language groups and this has made his work even more diverse. John likes to mix styles as he sees his art as an expression of his Aboriginal spirituality: “My art work is my means of communicating my aboriginality to the wider community. Through my art I express who I am and it gives me an opportunity to promote awareness of Aboriginal culture. To paint makes me feel like a worthwhile person, deserving of pride.” John’s work has been featured in a significant number of displays and exhibitions including WildArt ’97; Royal Queensland Art Society-Art Show ’98; Arts and Soul Festival 1999; World Environment Day 2000, 2001; Environment and Sustainable Living Fair, Brisbane 2001; Naidoc 2001 Exhibition held in collaboration with Gold Coast Indigenous Artists – Robina Community Art Gallery; Naidoc Family Day 2001; Aboriginal Keeping Place – Armidale, New South Wales (current).
	Alison Buchanan (Aboriginal name Junnoy Murriwan) The life of Junnoy Murriwan is an inspiration to all people. Her story starts with her father rowing up the Nambucca Heads River, in New South Wales, where his wife gave birth to Alison, in his land of the Gumbaynggirr coastal aboriginal people who have lived there for more than 50,000 years. In the 1960’s, with most aboriginal people rounded up 100 years prior and placed in missions, Mr Buchanan made a brave decision to escape and raise his family; they lived in a tin shed near the beach, selling worms and fish to make a living. This isolation maintained a strong connection with life and culture unchanged for some 70,000 years. Alison’s art brought her to the city when she was chosen to exhibit at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The sight of an innocent aboriginal girl from the bush jumping into the front line of technology was a pleasure to observe. The art world responded to Alison’s art with excitement, with her unique style reflecting coastal colours and influences and strong traditional flavors of the past, present and future. Her work tells stories that have been passed on through dance, song and art, explaining a simple way of life with a complex understanding, respect and love for mother earth. The Alison Buchanan Gallery Australia is the largest and most prestigious solo art gallery. Alison established an aboriginal art print company, Indigetec Pty Ltd. Seven years of hard work and dedication has created a national and international success story with over 100 selected outlets worldwide offering Alison’s art. Increasing demand by national outlets, such as Australian Geographic, shows how the Australian public has embraced Alison’s art. Exposure overseas has led to a growing international market and has caused Alison to question “how can I extend a week to nine days!” to fit her busy schedule. The demand for Alison’s originals from 1998 to 2008 has made her one of the most successful Australian Aboriginal artists. The emotion that comes through in her extraordinary art has rendered her admirers speechless. Alison is preparing to embark on her 2008 World Voyage Exhibition as ‘Captain Alison Buchanan, Aboriginal Artist’.
	Graham Nudge Blacklock Born in Guyra, New South Wales, on 23 April 1059, Nudge was brought up in the western suburbs of Sydney. The stories that Nudge paints are from his mother’s and father’s countries which are the Biripi people from Port Macquarie in northern  New South Wales and the Ngarabal people from Glen Innes and Tingha. Nudge has had his work shown in individual and group exhibitions both in Australia and overseas. Nudge’s Aboriginal culture exists in an oral form where, for thousands of years, his people have been learning and passing on knowledge from The Dreamtime or The Time of Creation. Symbolism is predominant in Aboriginal culture and expressed in many forms and portrayed artistically in body painting and ceremonial sand mosaics, to name just a few. Nudge portrays symbolism through his works in a natural connection between his subject matter and the aspects of his Aboriginal culture. Exhibitions held: Robina Gold Coast 2008; Gold Coast Art Centre 2008; Paris 2007; The World Trade Fair Sydney 2005-2006; Blacktown Regional Gallery, Sydney 2004; Mil-Pera Liverpool 2001. Awards received: Highly Commended – Gold Coast City Council 2008.
	Colin Wightman Born on 23rd December 1965, Colin (Aboriginal name Dinnawan) was brought up in the small Aboriginal community of Toomelah which is on the dry plains near the north-western border of New South Wales. He is a descendant of the Goomeroi people.The stories that Colin paints depict the tales of How the Kangaroo Got His Tail, How the Turtle Got His Shell, Come Play with Us, McIntyre River. His paintings show Dhullymai (rain), Eura Leaves (medicine plant), Napan (bush fruit) and many stories relating to his country and his travels.Colin’s work has been shown in individual exhibitions and group exhibitions both in Australia and overseas. He was awarded Artist of the Year by his community in 2004.Colin’s Aboriginal culture exists in an oral form, where for thousands of years tribe members have been learning and passing on knowledge of The Dreamtime or The Time of Creation. Symbolism is predominant in Aboriginal culture; it is expressed in many forms and is portrayed artistically in body painting, sand mosaics for ceremonies, to name just a few. Colin portrays symbolism through his works in a natural connection between his subject matter and the aspects of his Aboriginal culture.Exhibitions held: Cairns TAFE 1995, The Spirit of Australia Gallery 2002, NSW Parliament House (finalist) 2004, Brisbane Powerhouse 2007, Gosford Regional Gallery 2007 Dreaming Down Under 2008.
	Michael Huddleston Michael (Aboriginal name Garmarroongoo) was born into the Ngardi tribe, from Rover River in East Arnhem Land. Its Aboriginal place name is “Ngukurr.Michael’s father, the late Harry Huddleston, was a traditional owner of Burrungu, which was also known as Ruin City. Most of Michael’s artwork is based on his land, from which his father and mother came. He paints on canvas or linen. All of the animals are painted in the traditional ways of their land and in Dreamtime stories.He has been painting for more than 10 years and his work has been seen throughout the world.
	Carl (Barb) Hardy Carl (Aboriginal name Barb) comes from the Bundjalung tribe. His family is from the Armidale Area in New South Wales. At a very young age he started 'background' and 'filling' work for his grandmother and developed a very Northern Territories style. Althought only 25 years old, his woprk has a much more mature feel. He is an accomplished didgeridoo player and historian. His heritage is of prime importance to him.

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