"I paint because it is my culture. I always put the Barka River in my paintings because it is my river."
Image: A young boy painting a canvas.
At nine-years-old, John*, a proud Barkindji boy from the Darling River basin in far-west New South Wales, is already an award-winning artist.
"We first visited Living Arts through some of their holiday activities, and then both children loved going along and spending time," shared Paula, carer for John and his sister Stacey.
John and Stacey started having fortnightly sessions at home with Mark, Resident Artist, and Natasha ,Aboriginal Resident Artist, after school during the term, alongside regularly attending the holiday program activities.
"It makes me feel calm," John shared when asked why he enjoys painting.
Image: Close-up on John's hands using a paintbrush on a canvas.
From the beginning, it was easy to see that John had a raw, natural talent. John treasures an artwork by Barkindji artist Caitlin Davies Plummer that Paula and her partner Brenton bought for him and his sister. The piece shares the story of their journey from Barkindji country to their foster family on Kaurna land.
"John decided he was going to replicate that painting and we were all amazed by how well he did that," said Paula.
The artwork was entered into the mindshare Exhibition in 2022, when he was seven-years-old.
Image: Artwork created by John, inspired by Barkindji artist Caitlin Davies Plummer.
John loved taking part in the mindshare Exhibition in 2022 and was very motivated to participate again the following year.
Unfortunately, in 2023, Paula broke her foot and was not able to take John and Stacey to the Living Arts sessions where the kids would have worked on their mindshare submissions.
When Living Arts Lead Resident Artist Phi told John that entries were closing, John ran and found an old canvas, painted over it, and sat for three hours to complete his submission the night before it was due.
John finished his piece and, with the support of his collaborative care team, the artwork was delivered in time to be displayed at the exhibition. It was displayed alongside other pieces John and Stacey created independently that year. For Stacey, this was the first time her art was in the exhibition as well.
In 2024, John contributed five new artworks, all incorporating symbols and colours that represent his connection to his culture, his Country, and his creativity.
Image: Artwork created by John, titled 'Barkaa'.
Paula said that art has been a wonderful way of connecting John and Stacey to culture.
"Last year, we did a Return to Country trip. We went around and looked at Iminimdi and a lot of the artworks around there. John found that really inspiring and came back and was really passionate about the art," shared Paula.
"You could see he had started to add elements like the Barka River (Darling River) and where the Murray and the Darling meet. And that's now always in his paintings, which is beautiful."
During the Return to Country trip, they connected with more of John’s family.
"They’ve been really connected to the cousins. It’s given them that sense of belonging and knowing their place and knowing their history," said Paula.
"On land, it made me feel happy. It was good meeting family," said John.
Image: John leaning over a large artwork, using a paint pen.
With the support of his foster care family, kin, and community, John has developed a number of stunning art pieces.
This year, John won the Nunga Kids Art Competition and was presented an iPad by the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
John shared a powerful statement as part of his description of the artwork he submitted to the competition.
"My culture is Barkindji and I learn about my culture, so I am strong. I learn about my culture because I am connected," he said.
"I love to see my cousins and visit my Country, so I can learn more about it. It made me happy to meet my cousins last year, it felt good to be together."
"I paint because it is my culture. I always put the Barka River in my paintings because it is my river."
"Learning about my culture makes me feel proud and strong."
Image: Artwork created by John, titled 'Loud and Proud'.
Paula is understandably proud of John’s artistic achievements.
"He just keeps getting better and better. He just sits down - the whole structure, the colours and the things he uses. He’s amazing."
John is now looking forward to his next Return to Country trip and is planning to visit the art gallery again when he’s there.
A person's story is precious. We take storytelling seriously. Sometimes people are able to tell their own story, and we love that. We always make sure they give us their ok, and we will always honour the trust placed in us to bring their story forward. *Names have been changed to protect the children in this story.
