I create art because it lets me escape into a world of pure creation. When I’m painting, everything else falls away, and I’m free to explore the endless possibilities that emerge when tradition meets innovation. My unique approach to Indigenous art combines Martu dot painting techniques with contemporary expression, creating something that’s never been done before.
Where I Come From
The first five years of my life were spent in the Desert with my Grandmother and Uncles, a time that fundamentally shaped who I am as an artist. Those early years on Beyondie Cattle Station in Western Australia, surrounded by red earth and ancient storytelling traditions, continue to influence my work today. My art is a bridge between those formative experiences and the contemporary world, between traditional Martu culture and modern artistic expression.
Beyondie Cattle Station 1969
My Artistic Journey
My path to becoming an artist has been anything but conventional. With two PhDs under my belt – one in Marketing and one in Information Technology – I found myself drawn back to art, following my heart rather than the expected path. This unique background influences how I approach my work, allowing me to see possibilities that others might miss.
Ten months ago, my life took an unexpected turn when a collector (who is also a well-known artist) discovered my work on eBay. This serendipitous connection led to an invitation to hold my first solo exhibition at a prestigious gallery in April 2025. While this quick success has been exhilarating, I remain focused on staying true to my artistic vision and creating work that speaks from the heart.
What Makes My Art Different
I think differently, and my process reflects that. My artwork combines traditional Indigenous dot painting techniques with contemporary elements in ways that challenge expectations. When people think they’ve seen everything that can be done in Aboriginal art, my work shows there are still new frontiers to explore.
I also challenge the notion that Aboriginal art must fit into a narrow, predefined box. There’s often an expectation that Aboriginal artists should be living “on country,” in traditional communities, following a prescribed lifestyle that fits someone else’s idea of what an Aboriginal artist should be. But Indigenous culture isn’t frozen in time – it’s living, breathing, and evolving. My work demonstrates that Aboriginal art can be both deeply connected to tradition and boldly contemporary.
Being an Aboriginal artist in today’s world means navigating multiple spaces and influences. My art reflects this reality. It draws from my early years in the Desert with my Grandmother and Uncles, my academic background, and my experiences in the contemporary art world. This unique combination of influences doesn’t make my work any less Aboriginal – instead, it enriches it, showing how Indigenous creativity can thrive and evolve in any context.
Some of my most meaningful moments come from seeing other Indigenous Australians, especially my family, appreciate my artwork. I create pieces that not only honor our traditions but push boundaries and open up new conversations about what Indigenous art can be and who can create it.
My Creative Process
Each piece I create starts with a guiding idea that invites viewers to experience an Indigenous perspective. But what makes my work unique is my “lo-fi art” style – a concept I adapted from my background in digital innovation. Just as developers use low-fidelity prototyping to test website ideas quickly and efficiently, I apply this same principle to my artwork.
In web development, lo-fidelity prototyping means creating bare-bones versions of websites to test concepts before investing in detailed development. I’ve translated this approach to my art, stripping away unnecessary complexities to focus on the core essence of each piece. This allows me to explore ideas more freely and authentically, creating work that captures the raw energy of creation while maintaining the spiritual and cultural depth of traditional Martu art.
My process is deliberately unrefined in places, embracing imperfection and spontaneity. Like a lo-fi prototype, each painting contains only what’s necessary to convey its story effectively. This unique approach combines traditional dot painting techniques with contemporary expression in ways that challenge conventional expectations of Indigenous art. I love that my process is different from what everyone else is doing, and I can’t wait to keep exploring new artistic territories.
See Chapter 12: Validate and Iterate the Prototype.
What My Art Means to Others
My artwork has found homes with collectors who say they discover new stories in each piece every time they look. I create art to be enjoyed, to bring joy, and perhaps to leave the world a little more beautiful. Nothing makes me happier than exceeding a client’s expectations or seeing someone connect deeply with one of my pieces.
Looking Forward
As I continue to grow as an artist, I’m excited to make my work more accessible to a broader audience through smaller original pieces and prints. My studio in Woodstock, NSW, is where I bring these visions to life, creating pieces that bridge worlds and tell stories that matter.
My studio in Woodstock, NSW.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to Indigenous art, I invite you to explore my work and join me on this creative journey. Each piece is an opportunity to experience something new, to see the world through a different lens, and to bring a bit of joy and beauty into your own space.
Member of the Indigenous Art Code and the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia
