With more than 100 artists and 30 art centres taking part, the National Indigenous Art Fair is returning to Sydney this weekend. Presented by First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, NIAF is a commission-free event taking over Cutaway at Barangaroo, with 100% of sales returned directly to participating art centres. We spoke to a few of the inspiring artists in the art fair, including carver and artist Walter Brooks of Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association:

Tell us about the work you are showcasing at this years National Indigenous Art Fair?

I will be bringing one figure carving of Purukuparli, who is the main character in the Tiwi creation story. Also, I’ll have bird carvings, birds were the messengers in the same creation story. They tell us stories from the future, good and bad news comes with the birds. That is why we still carve the bird and figure carvings today, it is important to our Tiwi story.

What was inspiring you while you created these pieces?

I like working at the art centre because it is important to me to keep that cultural knowledge as a young artist, to keep that Tiwi culture strong and alive. Making art is a good way to do that, sharing the stories to our younger ones, vistors and people at art fairs.

What is your process? What comes first? How do you know when a piece is finished?

Everything starts with collecting materials, like stringybark, ironwood and ochres – this is the colour we use for the paint. We collect white and yellow colour from Country and from the yellow we make red, by cooking it on the fire and then it goes red. We get all the materials back to the art centre and then we start making our own artefacts, carving birds with the ironwood and making tunga (folded bark bags) from stringybark. Then we prepare the colours and start painting on the works that need finishing up.

Do you listen to music when creating? What has been on your playlist for this work?

TEABBA Radio is usually playing 7 days a week at Jilamara Arts, this is the remote top end radio station that everyone listens to. Sometimes we Bluetooth our own music, our Country music and all Aboriginal bands like B2M a Tiwi band from here, central desert music and Drifting Clouds is a band from East Arnhem. Then we do a bit of mix from 1980s up to today.  

How do you hope people take from viewing your work? What do you hope it evokes?

I always hope for good sales and my work finding its way into collections. People that like woodcarving is good. I like the idea they learn a little bit about Tiwi history and also I like to answer questions when people do not know about Tiwi art.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the National Indigenous Art Fair?

It means a lot and it is good to be part of the art fair. Good to meet up with new and old friends from different art centres because we all come from different regions and come to share art under one roof. We travel from far and come together as one to celebrate and be part of NIAF. We come to represent our art and culture centres and hopefully get good feedback from everyone.

Which other artists are inspiring you or exciting you right now?

I got a few artists a like to follow, from all over. One fellow John Prince from Mangkaja Arts at Fitzroy Crossing, he is a famous artist I met recently when travelling with ANKA (Arnhem Northern and Kimberley Artists).

Do you remember the first piece of art that had a profound impact on you when you were younger and inspired you to begin painting?

I came across some great old Tiwi art at Charles Darwin University, specially looking at the old tunga (folded bark basket) and a Sawfish design by Jean Baptist. I made similar design for my work Rigg Design Prize at the National Gallery of Victoria last year.

What’s something, aside from art, that is important for you that you want to use your platform for?

I like wood working, making tables, chairs and furniture. I did a little bit at high school and really liked it. I always wanted to try doing it again, learning to use different tools and do handywork with wood in a different way.  

What’s next for you?

I will have a my own spot at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair in August, for some of my larger carvings and some tunga (folded bark baskets) as well. I would like to make my career more successful and look forward to travelling overseas in the future.

niaf.com.au

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