The legacy of my indigenous roots and ancestors have created strong spiritual bonds that is evident in my works. The love of the Australian country side and the bush has given me my motivation to create pieces that cross over the different cultures.
I was born in Goondiwindi part of the Bigambul area. My Grandmother Ivy and her indigenous heritage influenced by my work by the strong link to the land and the spiritualism associated with all living things.
As a young boy I heard the stories of the dreamtime from indigenous elders and have used my interpretation in my art work to express my deep longing for the land and all creatures associated with it.
From an early age I was sketching and scribbling on buts of paper, wood and any surface I could draw on. I grew up surrounded by the Australian bush, seeing the colours, the animals, birds, nature at its best and worst. This is evident in my work which encompasses many aspects of the wide open spaces and the colour and beauty of the land.
At around 3 years of age I was separated from most of my family and sent to St Josephs Home, Neerkol. It was a catholic orphanage west of Rockhampton. This made me part of the stolen generation, as my grandmother was denied permission to raise me because she was indigenous. I spent approximately 11 years there and then was sent to the Boystown Beaudesert Queensland. I left when I was 16 (still being a ward of the state) and continued my journey. This has taken me across some of the remotest parts of Australia traversing the centre, from the east coast to the west and from the north to the south.
I see my artwork as "cross culture" and use a combination of inks, acrylics and oils. These create the colours of the dreaming to bring depth and life to my art.
In my artwork I am able to find the inner peace and a release from the riggers of the world today by expressing my heartfelt feeling through my passion for the land and everything associated with it.
e-mail address -
web page of my business/name - distantfootprints.webs.au
Phone: 0404566447
Professional Membership - Artworkers Alliance, exhibition, artworkers alliance CIAF - Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2009, solo exhibition Desert Rain - indigenous fine art Gallery - Noosa Marina 2009, collections;Art Bank - Sydney 2009,