The 'OUR MOB' art exhibition at Adelaide Festival Centre will display some of the most talented Aboriginal artists in South Australia.
The artists, picked by a panel of judges, entered their best work and were chosen simply on their raw talent, and the individuality of their pieces.
Cecilia Douglas is one of the lucky ones, and she'll have her art on display when the exhibition goes live in mid-October.
Here, she pens an open letter, talking about what inspired her to enter, and her reaction when she won.
“Hi. My name is Cecilia Douglas, and I am a 36 year old mum of four: PJ, Rusty, Lee and Rene, and I'm partner to Patrick.
I originally come from the Goreng Goreng Tribe in Queensland... I now reside in Adelaide due to one of my child's illnesses. My family and I have been living here for just over 11 years, but would one day love to experience the Outback, as I haven't done so yet.
The Outback is where some of my inspiration came from, as my partner Patrick is an Initiated Man from The APY Lands, which he talks about on a daily basis. Patrick is a Wood Carver but as many may not know, he is a Dot Painter too. Patrick – being as talented as he is – suggested to me that I should do a Dot Painting and enter it in the 'OUR MOB' exhibition and see how I go. So I thought “yeah, why not.. I am gonna give this Dot Painting a go.” I was also happy to hear that my daughter who has entered was going to do one too... Her deciding to do one inspired me more to give it a go... Going to other Aboriginal exhibitions and seeing other Indigenous pieces of artwork at museums also inspired me to choose what the story I would like to do.
So we got on with it, and as it took a while to do, we eventually got there. The story behind our paintings relate to Gathering Of The Bushtucker Food in the Outback. So I put the entry forms in, and played the waiting game with my girl... Very anxiously of course, but not showing it. Then one day while doing the dishes... I got a Maggie Fletcher (Curator) e-mail and opened it nervously... And as I did, I let out a big “YESSSSSS! We did it Rene! We have made it into the 'OUR MOB' exhibition.”
I will honestly say, it was a very big moment of joy and happiness to be selected for the first time in an exhibition so well known to everyone Australia-wide, knowing I doubted myself so much, but had the positivity from partner Patrick. Whether my painting sells or not, I will still be very proud of myself for being a part of such a huge exhibition which is so well known... In saying that, I need to thank my partner and daughter for the huge amount of inspiration you both gave to me to produce such a piece... And to the panel for thinking it was worth selecting for a first timer. Whatever the outcome of this, I will gladly say I will continue to Dot Paint... So I guess its an awesome start to a new journey in my lifetime. Once again, thank you all.”
- Cecilia Douglas
I originally come from the Goreng Goreng Tribe in Queensland... I now reside in Adelaide due to one of my child's illnesses. My family and I have been living here for just over 11 years, but would one day love to experience the Outback, as I haven't done so yet.
The Outback is where some of my inspiration came from, as my partner Patrick is an Initiated Man from The APY Lands, which he talks about on a daily basis. Patrick is a Wood Carver but as many may not know, he is a Dot Painter too. Patrick – being as talented as he is – suggested to me that I should do a Dot Painting and enter it in the 'OUR MOB' exhibition and see how I go. So I thought “yeah, why not.. I am gonna give this Dot Painting a go.” I was also happy to hear that my daughter who has entered was going to do one too... Her deciding to do one inspired me more to give it a go... Going to other Aboriginal exhibitions and seeing other Indigenous pieces of artwork at museums also inspired me to choose what the story I would like to do.
So we got on with it, and as it took a while to do, we eventually got there. The story behind our paintings relate to Gathering Of The Bushtucker Food in the Outback. So I put the entry forms in, and played the waiting game with my girl... Very anxiously of course, but not showing it. Then one day while doing the dishes... I got a Maggie Fletcher (Curator) e-mail and opened it nervously... And as I did, I let out a big “YESSSSSS! We did it Rene! We have made it into the 'OUR MOB' exhibition.”
I will honestly say, it was a very big moment of joy and happiness to be selected for the first time in an exhibition so well known to everyone Australia-wide, knowing I doubted myself so much, but had the positivity from partner Patrick. Whether my painting sells or not, I will still be very proud of myself for being a part of such a huge exhibition which is so well known... In saying that, I need to thank my partner and daughter for the huge amount of inspiration you both gave to me to produce such a piece... And to the panel for thinking it was worth selecting for a first timer. Whatever the outcome of this, I will gladly say I will continue to Dot Paint... So I guess its an awesome start to a new journey in my lifetime. Once again, thank you all.”
- Cecilia Douglas
