July 16, 2016
Kingaroy artist Danielle Leedie is hoping the colours and vibrancy of life in the South Burnett will help her catch the eye of the judges at the upcoming Queensland Regional Art Awards.
“Colours of Wakka Wakka Country” has been entered in the annual visual arts prize for artists living in regional and remote Queensland.
The artwork echoes ancient themes but with a totally modern twist.
Danielle is a digital artist and she created her traditional-style dot painting on her computer.
But that doesn’t mean the process was any easier than using a brush and paint. Every stylistic element still had to be designed and painstakingly positioned.
The digital painting depicts the Bunya Mountains and towns in the South Burnett, linked by people travelling.
The red earth, brown soil and local crops are also included.
Danielle drew on her Wakka Wakka / Bidjara heritage for the theme.
She has tried traditional dot painting in the past but “it was not for me”.
“I have always loved digital art so to incorporate the two is really, really good,” Danielle said.
“I started with the towns and tracks, placing each individual dot so it flowed better.
“By the end of it, I felt overwhelmed.”
The theme for this year’s Queensland Regional Art Awards is “Colours of Queensland”.
Artists have been asked to consider what brings colour, vibrancy and life to their local community or region “drawing on personal experiences and observations”.
There is also a People’s Choice award where people will be able to vote for pieces online.
Artworks will be uploaded to the Flying Arts Alliance website once entries have closed.
* * *
Danielle explains the digital painting in her own words:
I have used colours that represent various iconic features that exist on the land of my people, the traditional owners of our region the Wakka Wakka people. Each circle represents the different townships/communities in the South Burnett.
Symbols used represent people gathering, tracks represent travel between those communities and the white coloured symbols scattered around represent the Bunya Mountains, once a meeting place for my people during Bunya Nut season.
The contrasting colours of my region link strongly to our rich cultural history, agricultural diversity and the sporting rivalries of our local towns but most of all the vibrancy and richness of the landscape on which my people have walked for thousands of years.
Culture, food, sport and the land … these are the colours I see as I walk on my country.
