CONNECT TO YOUR SENSE OF WONDER
“When I look back at my childhood, I always loved drawing. I remember we had a big blackboard hung up on the inside wall and I would spend a lot of time there. I loved art at school and to write creative stories.
At the age of 17 after completing Year 11, I went straight into a signwriting apprenticeship. I was qualified at the age of 20. I practiced this for a while but didn’t have the money for the proper tools and equipment I needed to sustain my business, eventually deciding to go for other work when the opportunity arose.
Through my dad’s side of the family, I am Aboriginal. I am a Keerray Woorroong, Yorta Yorta woman of the Maar Nation (better known as Gunditjmara), my Grandmother was born at the Framlingham Aboriginal Mission and my Great Grandmother was born at the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Mission. I feel like I was raised in two different worlds as my mum’s side was mainly of Scottish heritage. It was tough growing up knowing that I was Aboriginal but usually reluctant to say anything due to the cruel things that would be said, given that I am not dark skinned. People’s attitudes astounded me, therefore holding me back from feeling confident with my true identity.
PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES ASTOUNDED ME
In saying that, my next job was as a Koori Educator in the local Warrnambool Primary Schools, supporting Aboriginal children within the school both culturally and academically for 10 years. During those years I got married and had two children. After working in retail for a few years I then joined Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative as a Koori Pre-school Assistant within the local Kindergartens in 2011. My role was to deliver culturally appropriate educational activities to all the students. Furthermore, I ran and facilitated a Koori Playgroup every Friday. All this made me tap into my creative side again after losing touch with it over such a busy time.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I could feel my creative nature calling me from deep within and I started to draw again. I had forgotten how much I loved it and how satisfying it was, although I was still pretty time poor and didn’t get to it as often as I would have liked.
It was in 2017 that I decided to enter an art competition entering an artwork that reflected Family Violence from a cultural perspective for a new Police Protocols Booklet focusing on Aboriginal Family Violence within our region and much to my surprise I won it. This then gave me the confidence and motivation to keep creating whenever I got the chance.
In 2019 I became the first- First Nations Curator of Cultural Engagement at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, curating the dedicated Maar Nation Gallery First Nations space until I resigned in 2021 to become a full time Contemporary Indigenous artist.
It has become very clear to me, that all the things I have experienced in my life whether it be good or bad, has shaped me to be where I am and who I am today. I am stronger in my identity and more resilient, embracing and honouring my aboriginality, feeling proud and spiritually connected to my ancestors and country. I believe everything happens for a reason and when it is supposed to, so we can learn from these experiences and come out the other side stronger and wiser.
I include all these elements within my creations and am passionate about making a difference.
I am now definitely in my happy place and am very grateful and humbled that I get to practice what I love and share my passion and creations with you.
By looking through my website I invite you to take time out and take a journey with me to connect to your sense of wonder.
- Sherry Johnstone