Wiradjuri is my artist name as well as the name of my tribe and it means black bird. I was born in Dubbo NSW in 1956. When I was younger I used to help my father go into the bush to collect timber to make didgeridoos, boomerangs, spears and other traditional Aboriginal implements. My father painted in an old shed and I would watch while he painted, and in time he encouraged me to paint and would show me traditional styles and techniques. In particular we used to paint x-ray style depicting the animals in a skeletal style.
We paint animals that are a food source found in my tribal area and these include 9 animals. Four animals, the platypus, crocodile, turtle and fish come from water and five others including the kangaroo, emu, lizard, echidna and rainbow serpent come from the land. Over the years my style of painting has evolved and will continue to evolve as I incorporate more contemporary styles into my work. Although my art may change the subject matter will always remain constant.
