Dale is a Bidijira man with his roots firmly planted in Central Queensland and Brisbane. Trained by artists Jennifer Herd and Gordon Hookey, and mentored by Richard Bell and Tony Albert, Dale Harding’s use of forms such as cross stitching is rich in colour and somewhat totemic. He uses this form to talk about the servitude of Aboriginal women, taking stories from his grandparents. A versatile artist, Harding uses various mediums to express the issues important to him.
Lucy is a Yuwaalaraay woman of the Walgett and Angledool areas of northwest NSW. A talented singer and artist, Lucy has branched out into textiles. The creator of Gaawaa Miyay draws inspiration from her heritage ushering in a new genre of Australian Design. Inspired by the people, place and country of her ancestors, Simpson’s contemporary Indigenous designs are a continuation of age-old traditions expressed in new and exciting ways.
Simpson’s work is at its purest, a celebration of her identity – expressing, interpreting and connecting through layers of time and memory.Her creations are striking and capture a refined natural aesthetic. Lucy draws inspiration from family, identity and country as she works towards the opening of her designs – a contemporary expression of country on cloth.
Teho is a Cairns-based artist and printmaker from the Injinoo Community in Far North Queensland. Teho works at Umiarts as a curator building up his experiences in understanding his own work before he returns to Injinoo to prepare for his Telstra Award submission. Ropeyarn’s work featured in the exhibition presenting totemic animals and landscapes from his home community of Injinoo.
He is inspired by stories passed down from Injinoo Elders. With a plan to be recognised for “A unique body of work that will captivate art buyers, museums, galleries and collectors from around Australia and the world”, Ropeyarn realises the importance of exposure including online. Teho was awarded the Works on Paper Telstra Art Award for 2013.
A descendant from Quandammoka region (North Stradbroke Island) in South East Queensland, Megan has exhibited her work works at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC, Koori Heritage Trust in Melbourne, City Gallery in Wellington New Zealand, Gallery OED in India and the 2009 ARC Biennial in Brisbane. She has received commissions from the Moreton Bay Regional Council and Brisbane City Council. A member of the ProppaNOW Collective, Megan explores environment, identity, geromorphology and mapping. Decolonising methedologies and toponymy are a primary aspect of her practice.