Artist Statement…

Hi Everyone,

I am N’Dene Riley and I was born on Palawa Land (Northern Tasmania) in Burnie on my dad’s country, Six Rivers. I was raised there for 4 years and then we all moved to Victoria, which is on the beautiful Bunurong Country in the Kulin Nations. Unfortunately we only gained this knowledge in 2016 when my mum went searching our family history. She discovered also that she is from the Stolen Generation. Her Mob is Parrdarrama Pungenna, Palawa (Southern Tasmania) It is difficult to find your history because of the old laws and ideologies, but I encourage you to keep searching because ‘great events come to pass’ when you do.

I loved art, nature and was happy playing sports or learning new skills like: making cubby houses, riding horses, reading books, fishing, baking, sewing, hunting, changing oil filters, gardening and cutting wood. We all loved beautiful nature, whether at someone’s farm or property, at the beach, in the gardens and at the local parks. I deeply cared for horses, cats, magpies, possums and friends along my journey. Art was there, but not properly discovered until my late 40’s and early 50’s.

Why!! Who knows, it comes when it comes and it is here NOW to enjoy.

My painting methods and technique is contemporary and unique to myself. Artists, have shared their journey’s with me along the way as I have sat with them at Baluk Arts studio, in their homes and on zoom. I believe I connect to my Aboriginal heritage and to My Country with inspiration when I paint, create or design. My stories are told within my artworks in the form of memory of wisdoms taught, Aboriginal symbols, my languages and what I feel internally at those moments

Bunurong country is the stunningly beautiful lands I live on, but my teaching and artwork takes me to many Mob’s Lands. Each Country I visit has either a magnificent coastline, waterways, bushlands or mountain ranges. So as an Artist or Teacher (both school and my Art Programs) I connect in wonderful natural worlds regularly and gratefully. I am an Artist member of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia and the Indigenous Art Code, Kinaway Commerce and Baluk Arts Gallery. Derrimut Wheelan, and Nair Marr Djambana are where I am a participating member. These Gathering Places hold a safe space to learn, teach and grow in our Cultural knowledges. Grateful for their support and inspiration.

My two boys are now men who love life and are wonderful people, and supportive of me! I hope they know they are the “greatest loves of my life” and it was their spirits that gave me strength to overcome the many hurdles in my life.

My hope is that you learn of our Culture, share it out and find positivity in here and hold onto it. “To thine own self be True.” Be You….