It was very subconsciously inspiring to witness my mother painting from home, to be encouraged to join in with her and paint from a young age. Our house was full of creativity, music and art. My relationship with my grandmother (also a painter) is very close, she and my mother would often talk about my art and give me positive words of affirmation about how they saw my pieces. The earliest memory I have is when I was in year 3, I painted my first acoustic guitar on canvas, the piece is about sixty centimetres by sixty and we still have it. There are photos of me painting from age 3, however the memories I can recall start later on.

My mother believes in ‘reach for the moon, if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars’ type of mentality. Very optimistic and positive – I feel that this gave me the first stepping stone to imaging my future and to envision and self-talk about the dreams and goals I wanted to accomplish. Believe it, see it and go for it.

As an abstract painter, I believe I’m articulating an unspoken language through mark-making. My message is for the viewer and myself to feel a sensory effect to my pieces. The mark-making is a unique code or language that adds a rhythmic layer of voice over the top of my work.

Further to the above, I love the feeling that these pigments hand us. I believe we are always searching for elements in life to connect us back with nature where we feel connected to our inner self. These tones offer us a sensory feeling of calm, peace. Science has proven the effects of the colour Pink, if you research into the Drunk Tank Pink theory it shares more evidence on this!

Once I start a piece, I will add so many layers of paint that over time, sometimes months the layers collide and create different surfaces and textural differences. My pieces are very heavy once complete!

When I started Recollection Echo in the studio, I was drawn to using my photography for the first time, images from my travels, everyday life and studio taken over the past 6 years. Once I started to source the materials to create the works, I was looking through old t-shirts, denim, linen throws, tote bags and fabric I had collected over time to use as a base for the artwork, as opposed to the usual canvas.
Once the collection started to take shape, I was able to connect the dots and noticed that all of these materials where moments from my life and an expression and appreciation for my memories. The photograph or t-shirt is evidence of the memory, however, the moment in my mind is like a distant fading echo.

Yes, this was my intention. The piece Fabriano is an image of my Japanese brushes on the studio floor, transferred onto a fabric Fabriano tote bag I received from my favourite art store years ago. I set the composition up so the smaller rectangle was like a window looking into the memory surrounded by a field of colour. I felt it was important to use my own film photography so the images are sentimental.

Among many other programs, Gunawirra encourages and teach Aboriginal children to connect with the cultural knowledge and art heritage. This feels important to me to support and I feel a connection to this program as an artist.

It’s an omen, in most cases a good omen or a positive sign. I have friends who feel the connection to their path when they see a butterfly pass them by. The life of a butterfly is to live a full and fruitful life in the short time they have. To not take time for granted.

I feel humbled. The most exciting experience so far was being a finalist in the Mosman Art Prize, when I was at the awards night. Seeing my piece sit amongst so many incredible Artists. I feel gratitude for all the opportunities and experience so far.

I feel so grateful to have such a beautiful landscape at arm’s reach, it’s a constant flow of motivation for me. The motive in my work is to capture the feeling that a dawn light across a field of green and pink skies would. Pure awe. I look forward to travelling more to source further colour fields in the future.

I look forward to submitting my work into prizes, any outcome is a positive one as there is always growth in putting yourself out there and being vulnerable. I’m working on a new body of work that I will be showcasing with The Curators in New York and for Studio Gallery in Australia.