Released in honour of Mother’s Day, Shanai’s art is a celebration of memories and knowledge passed down by the matriarchy, and the many gifts our mothers and maternal figures bestow upon us.
Released in honour of Mother’s Day, Shanai’s art is a celebration of memories and knowledge passed down by the matriarchy, and the many gifts our mothers and maternal figures bestow upon us.
Released in honour of Mother’s Day, Shanai’s art is a celebration of memories and knowledge passed down by the matriarchy, and the many gifts our mothers and maternal figures bestow upon us.
My name is Shanai Kellett, I’m an educator and contemporary Aboriginal artist. My Aboriginal roots lead back to Yorta Yorta along the banks of the Murray River and Juru which is on the northern coast of Queensland.
I’ve developed my own unique Contemporary Aboriginal art style which incorporates the use of sand (Maloga in Yorta Yorta language) and acrylic paint.
This unique sand art style has been passed down through my mother's history and it is a style I endeavour to continue to use in my works.
For me Maloga is what connects us to mother earth, holidays with my relatives along the riverbanks of Cummeragunja and where I grew up on Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong country.
As a young girl in primary school my mum would often trace mine and my sister’s hands when developing a piece of art. I believe this has always stayed with me when I think about Aboriginal Art.
I’ve always been surrounded by art, which in turn gave me the eagerness to practise my own version of traditional dot, lineage, and symbolism painting.
My mum has a huge influence on me with my art. I learnt by watching her paint and use her sand technique that was passed down by her Uncle Ralph. She’s always been the person I look up to most when painting. She’s been a very strong influence to me within my creative journey. When I need guidance and support I go to her.
My art brings vibrancy and that’s the message I want to convey this Mother’s Day. I hope people will feel good about themselves. I also hope that people wearing my art feel a sense of belonging and pride in supporting First Nations Culture and our strong connection to Mother Earth.
Thank you to all of the mums, aunties, grandmothers, mothers in heaven and the fathers who may have had to play both roles. Thank you for your guidance, strength and wisdom.
My name is Shanai Kellett, I’m an educator and contemporary Aboriginal artist. My Aboriginal roots lead back to Yorta Yorta along the banks of the Murray River and Juru which is on the northern coast of Queensland.
I’ve developed my own unique Contemporary Aboriginal art style which incorporates the use of sand (Maloga in Yorta Yorta language) and acrylic paint.
This unique sand art style has been passed down through my mother's history and it is a style I endeavour to continue to use in my works.
For me Maloga is what connects us to mother earth, holidays with my relatives along the riverbanks of Cummeragunja and where I grew up on Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong country.
As a young girl in primary school my mum would often trace mine and my sister’s hands when developing a piece of art. I believe this has always stayed with me when I think about Aboriginal Art.
I’ve always been surrounded by art, which in turn gave me the eagerness to practise my own version of traditional dot, lineage, and symbolism painting.
My mum has a huge influence on me with my art. I learnt by watching her paint and use her sand technique that was passed down by her Uncle Ralph. She’s always been the person I look up to most when painting. She’s been a very strong influence to me within my creative journey. When I need guidance and support I go to her.
My art brings vibrancy and that’s the message I want to convey this Mother’s Day. I hope people will feel good about themselves. I also hope that people wearing my art feel a sense of belonging and pride in supporting First Nations Culture and our strong connection to Mother Earth.
Thank you to all of the mums, aunties, grandmothers, mothers in heaven and the fathers who may have had to play both roles. Thank you for your guidance, strength and wisdom.
‘Unified Moments’ reminds me of the many different, shades, textures and types of beach treasures like shells and sea glass that flow or glisten in the shoreline or amongst the Sandy Nepean.
For many people that grew up on Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong country, collecting sea glass was a popular hobby. I always tried to find that perfect, smooth, green piece, often competing with my sister or mum.
Sitting in the rockpools or scanning the shoreline with my hands, sifting through eye catching shells to find the perfect piece of sea glass is a treasured memory of mine with my mum and sister.
‘Unified Moments’ reminds me of the many different, shades, textures and types of beach treasures like shells and sea glass that flow or glisten in the shoreline or amongst the Sandy Nepean.
For many people that grew up on Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong country, collecting sea glass was a popular hobby. I always tried to find that perfect, smooth, green piece, often competing with my sister or mum.
Sitting in the rockpools or scanning the shoreline with
my hands, sifting through eye catching shells to find the perfect piece of sea glass is a treasured memory of mine with my mum and sister.
The Boon Wurrung / Bunurong women would often hunt and gather shellfish, sit and share stories together.
Thriving and only taking what was needed at the time. Some of these historical midden sites are still here today.
A variety of my traditional Yorta Yorta and Juru symbols alongside common Aboriginal symbols of gathering places, woman and varied sized dot work transform ‘Unified Moments’ and the ongoing connection us women have with Mother Nature.
The Boon Wurrung / Bunurong women would often hunt and gather shellfish, sit and share stories together.
Thriving and only taking what was needed at the time. Some of these historical midden sites are still here today.
A variety of my traditional Yorta Yorta and Juru symbols alongside common Aboriginal symbols of gathering places, woman and varied sized dot work transform ‘Unified Moments’ and the ongoing connection us women have with Mother Nature.
