Meet our artists
Ally Knight
Ally Knight is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja
Wurrung and Kamilaroi woman from Shepparton. Upon becoming a mother, Ally’s
perspective on art underwent a profound shift. It was during this pivotal phase
of her life that she discovered her innate love and passion for weaving. Guided
by the skilful hands and wisdom of fellow Kaiela artist Suzanne Atkinson, Ally
delved into the intricate world of weaving, uncovering a medium that allowed
her to tangibly express her cultural identity and creative prowess.
Ally creates a variety of items
including wall hangings, bowls and jewellery and has started her own business,
Mulana Earth. She loves using natural materials from the land and experimenting
with new and different techniques and styles in art making including ceramics,
painting and screen printing.
In addition to her creative pursuits, Ally serves as a
cornerstone of cultural education at Kaiela Arts. In her role as the Galnyatj
Education and Culture Coordinator, Ally facilitates an immersive experience
where students and teachers alike have the privilege of delving into the
tapestry of local Aboriginal stories, culture, and history. Her workshops are
spaces where not only artistic skills are honed but where meaningful yarning
and connection unfold.
Ally exhibited a wall-hanging piece in Kaiela Arts For Our
Elders exhibition, 2023.
JACK ANSELMI
Jack Anselmi is a proud Yorta Yorta man from Mooroopna, Victoria. A regular participating artist at Kaiela Arts, Jack enjoys sharing his knowledge with others and learning new skills. He is highly regarded for his striking animal carvings, sculptures and ceramics. Jack has received various commissions including from Melbourne University and Goulburn Valley Grammar School. In 2016, Jack Anselmi worked with fellow artist Cynthia Hardie to create a large ceramic installation called ‘Midden’ for the Indigenous Ceramic Art Award at Shepparton Art Museum. ’Midden’ was one of five shortlisted entries and won the 2016 Award for its innovative use of the medium of ceramic. A recurring theme in his ceramics is the long-neck turtle which is the Yorta Yorta totem. Jack breathes life into previously inanimate objects whether in wood or ceramic, his animals have an energy about them that is captivating.
Rochelle Patten
Rochelle
Patten is a Yorta-Yorta woman born on the veranda of the local Mooroopna
hospital in 1948. Rochelle is a highly respected elder, cultural leader and
artist in her community.
Rochelle
was always creative and in the early years she would watch her father carve and
paint. In the 1990’s she had an accident and while she was resting, she painted
and fell in love with it again. Over the years she has been in many exhibitions
including Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre Titled Two Strong sisters,
Boomalli Aboriginal artists cooperative in the “Mum Shirl Tribute exhibition,
Yenbenal Woka in March 2023 and For Our Elders in July 2023
Rochelle
has been more creative, connecting and caring towards her country, animals and
connecting spiritually towards painting.
Cynthia Hardie
Cynthia Hardie was born and raised in Mooroopna and over the years has filled her home with her beautiful creations. Reluctant to part with anything, she says her home is almost full to the rafters Her paintings adorn canvas, rocks, emueggs, timber, papier-mâché bowls, clap sticks, boomerangs, anything she can get her hands on and often more than one thing at a time. Her love of art and craft began as a child and has continued throughout her life. Mostly self-taught, she enjoys teaching her granddaughters how to paint, sharing her art supplies and painting small canvases and boomerangs.
Tiarne Hall
Tiarne Hall is a proud Wiradjuri woman, currently residing and creating on Yorta Yorta Country. She is one of many in her family who paint, including her two children.
Tiarne joined Kaiela Arts in 2014, taken under the wing of Gamilaraay artist Uncle Eric Brown.
A self-taught, contemporary artist; Tiarne works across a range of mediums from painting, watercolour, drawing & printmaking. She has also painted many murals, including a 12.5 metre, colourful “brain scan” at Cactus Country, Strathmerton that the ABC did a mini doc on for January 26th, 2021.
For Tiarne, art has always been a vessel for expressing her profound ties to the land and her family. Her pieces often carry undertones of feminism, politics, and tradition, merging seamlessly with topographical motifs that pay homage to her ancestral lineage.
Tiarne’s designs were selected for Design Roots 2 – “Lake” in 2018. Collaborating with Spacecraft Studios, making their way onto fabric through the intricate process of screen printing. The momentum continued with Design Roots 3 – “Identity” in 2019, a selection that saw her work at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and the Country to Couture Fashion Show. The same designs were featured in the NGV and Vogue Australia.
Tiarne also worked closely with other Kaiela artists to create “Yalka Lotjpa Nha”, a children’s Yorta Yorta language book.
Tammy-Lee Atkinson
Tammy-Lee Atkinson is a Yorta-Yorta artist. She is a proud Aboriginal woman who loves to learn and share personal and familial stories about her culture. Being able to express her own story through painting, drawing and photography, she attaches strong symbolic meaning to images that represent her traditional culture in contemporary art contexts. Tammy-Lee completed her Bachelor of Visual Arts at IKE at Deakin University in 2016 and she is currently enrolled in Certificate 3, Visual Arts, Centre for Koorie Education, GOTAFE, Shepparton.
Since 2014, Tammy-Lee has worked as a tutor in Aboriginal art and culture at Kaiela Arts and has presented works in group shows in Shepparton, Melbourne and also at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF).
Suzanne Atkinson
Suzanne Atkinson, a proud
Yorta-Yorta woman, mother, and grandmother, stands as a vibrant embodiment of
cultural heritage and creative ingenuity. Suzanne has established herself as a
multi-talented artist, seamlessly weaving narratives of tradition and
innovation across various artistic mediums.
Drawing upon the rich
wellspring of inspiration from her mother’s creative talents, and her own
innate ability to craft beauty from the offerings of nature, Suzanne’s creative
journey has been a dynamic and transformative one. Her artistic voyage led her
to embark on a quest for knowledge, culminating in her pursuit of a bachelor’s
degree in Contemporary Arts/Visual Arts from Deakin University in 2015. Suzanne also completed a Certificate 3 in Visual
Arts from the Centre for Koorie Education at GOTAFE in Shepparton.
In 2018, Suzanne Atkinson took
a pivotal step in her artistic career, unveiling her inaugural solo exhibition
titled “Perfectly Imperfect” at Kaiela Arts. From weaving, ceramics,
painting, poetry, and wood burning, Suzanne’s versatility knows no bounds.
Suzanne’s creations embody a
sense of authenticity, embracing both the flaws and the beauty that define the
human experience. Each piece, a testament to her journey, tells a story of
resilience, cultural continuity, and the profound connection between humanity
and nature. Suzanne’s art
serves as an open invitation, urging us all to embrace the imperfect, celebrate
the diverse, and recognize the threads that bind us to the past, present, and
future.
Amy Briggs
Amy Briggs is a proud Yorta-Yorta woman, mother, and grandmother. Born in Mooroopna with deep roots in the Dungala at Cummeragunja.
Amy’s artistic journey is imbued with a profound connection to her ancestry and a commitment to storytelling through her craft.
Born amidst the landscapes that have shaped her identity, Amy’s creative path has been intertwined with the rich tapestry of her cultural heritage. Her artistic ventures serve as a powerful conduit for preserving and sharing the stories, experiences, and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Amy’s artworks embody the essence of her heritage, capturing the beauty of the land, the resilience of her people, and the intricate relationships that define their existence. Her art becomes a bridge, connecting individuals from all walks of life to the vibrant pulse of Yorta-Yorta culture, and fostering a deeper understanding
Amy says, “As an artist, I love the amazing and inspiring journey with our group of elders, coming together and working on our art and telling our stories. The gallery is a place of learning, healing and hope.”
Laurel Robinson
Laurel Robinson was born in Mooroopna Victoria, and is a proud Yorta Yorta – Wurundjeri woman. Laurel grew up in Shepparton, where she attended school up unti her teen years.
She relocated to Melbourne where she worked as a telephonist, then on to to Sydney and worked for the Aboriginal medical service. After 40 years Laurel returned home to Shepparton.
“I joined Kaiela Arts and I then realised my hidden feelings I had in art and the memories of my childhood. I do love working with the other Elders and exchanging stories, I think it’s important we pass our stories onto the younger generations.”
