|
The following artists are amongst the many who exhibit their work with Gallery Amichi -
Rosie Barkus, Joann Bostock, Temira Creek, Mandy Davis, Esther Quinlin, Sharon Phineasa, James Simon, Frank Wallace and Daphne Wallace.
ROSIE BARKUS is a self-taught Torres Strait Islander Lino-Block Textile Designer and Printer. She is an established artist who creates out of her home-based art studio in Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Her mother, Sorbie Ware (nee Oth) originated from Murray Island in the Eastern Group of islands. Her father Elia Ware Snr. Came from St. Paul Village on Moa Island, with roots to Mabuiag Island in the near Western Island Group in the Torres Strait. Rosie began hand-printing textiles as a hobby in 1986. Her main medium is lino-block. She prints on quality silk and satin fabrics. She has been printing professionally since 1996 and has participated in many mainstream and Indigenous art exhibitions throughout Australia and overseas. Much of Rosie's inspiration comes from her culture, maritime history of her homeland and the beautiful marine environment that surrounds her. Her textile prints are in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; the National Maritime Museum, Sydney; the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane; and are purchased by private collectors in Australia and overseas. In 2001, Rosie was nominated and was a finalist in the 'Textile and Fabric' category of a prestigious award called 'Jaguar New Australian Designers of the Future' in association with the up market Belle Magazine, Sydney. The Jaguar Australia Awards, with eight categories, were created to highlight the importance of good design - and the exceptional caliber of Australian design - by recognizing outstanding young Australian Designers. Recently, Rosie has turned her artistic skills into jewellery making, designing individually hand carved high quality pearl shell pendants with 9 & 18ct gold fittings. This is a collaborative work with her husband Russell. She also handcrafts necklaces and bracelets from handpicked seashells and seeds collected from the beautiful beaches of Thursday Island and surrounding islands. Her unique jewellery has recently been snapped up by international cruise ship passengers, and added to the collection of the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.
JOANN BOSTOCK was born on 9 November 1965 and spent the first two years of her life in Malaysia, where her Father served with the Australian Army. The family moved to Holsworthy then Queensland and finally to Wyong in 1978, where Joann completed the School Certificate in 1981. Since then, she has undertaken and completed many courses and workshops in areas such as Counselling Skills; Protective Behaviours - An Aboriginal Perspective and St. John's Ambulance - Caring for Kids. Since 1985, Jo has been taking care of her seven children: Jim, Luke, Latai, Nayden, Taleena, Jarad and Tanyan. Although Jo was good at art at school, she has had neither the time nor the opportunity to pursue this talent. It is only very recently that Joann has once again started to draw. Her work was first shown to the public in 2004 (Gallery Amichi's 2004 Big Ones Little Ones exhibition in Sydney) and image 'Little to Big' was commissioned as the logo for Big Ones Little Ones 2005 . Joann Bostock is a Bundjalung woman who now lives in Sydney.
TEMIRA CREEK says: This is my story - I grew up in the heart of Cape York Peninsula in the small remote town of Coen, in Far North Queensland. Coen has a population of about 300 people, 90% of whom are Indigenous. There are 6 different tribes - Kaanju, Apputhuu, Lama Lama, Olkulu, Ompila and Wik Munkan. These tribes all have different languages. My Achi (Grandfather) is Southern Kaanju/ Othunganu. My Grandmother is Apputhuu/ Lama Lama. Because of marriage, we classify ourselves as southern Kaanju People, who are the traditional landowners of the little town of Coen. My family and myself are land and sea people. Our Gar-chi (Land) crosses over mountain to the sea. We still live on and off our land. When I was growing up my Achi (grandfather) used to tell us stories. Today people call it dreamtime stories. When he would tell us these stories, my Achi would draw with his fingers, or with a stick in the dirt or sand. He would grab rocks leaves and branches as he spoke and this became the way we would communicate with each other. Some would call this instinct. I have been painting and drawing for most of my life as a hobby, but also as a result of the passing on of stories from my grandparents. In recent years I have started to take a more serious approach to my painting as I teach my sons about our culture. I am 24 years of age and I am currently at home being a mum.
MANDY DAVIS belongs to the Biripi group with connections to Worimi - both of these coming under the "Kattang" language Group. She started painting in 1990 and joined Tobwabba Art in 1994. Mandy has exhibited both nationally (Boomali, Rainbow Serpent Gallery, Parliament House ACT, Casula Power House) and internationally (England, America, Germany & Sweden). 2003 Exhibitions have included Sunset Gallery Port Macquarie, Bellingen Global Festival & Biribahn Exhibition, and Newcastle University. The "Indigenous Award" for Flair Fashion in 1997, Mural Work at Macquarie University, Mural "Serpentine Wall" Forster, Ist prize in Birabahn Competition, Newcastle University and a Commendation for her "Emu" painting at Pacific Palms Art Show are amongst the many and varied prizes and awards that have been presented to Mandy Davis over the last few years. As well, a large range of her designs have been licensed to a number of companies, including the web design for CDEP Website sponsored by Microsoft, the Cover Design for Mid North Coast Area Health, Corporate Logo Design for Aboriginal Coordinated Care Trial and Centrelink Front Cover Design for Aboriginal Employment Program. All of this clearly indicates the range and depth of Mandy Davis's artistic talent.
|
