THE Yuin in Me by Natalie Bateman is a new exhibition of work at the Bundian Way Gallery in Delegate, opening on Saturday.
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Ms Bateman, who is based in Dalmeny, was a finalist in this year’s Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize and the 2014 Basil Sellers Art Prize in the Eurobodalla.
“I am a part of the Walbanja tribe that belongs to the Yuin of NSW,” Ms Bateman said.
“We are sea dwellers and our life revolves around the ocean, hunting and gathering seafood.”
Ms Bateman started painting 24 years ago while living in Lennox Head, experimenting with acrylic paints and drawing.
“Being so far away from family, missing them so much, painting was a way for me to connect and the land, ocean and animals became my subjects.
“This was the start of ‘The Calling’ back home to the places I grew up in, Maroubra and my South Coast homeland.
“When I look at most of the paintings I have done, they have been about ocean and sea creatures.
“This felt so natural to me.
“As a large family we would always go back to our homelands and camp, fish and reconnect as a whole.”
Ms Bateman has earned a reputation as a talented and exciting professional Australian artist, combining traditional and contemporary techniques.
“With the love from my family, sharing of knowledge, being part of our family kinship, all this beauty gets put into my paintings as some sort of story.
“I use dot work as this can make the paintings look so complete, I also use line work as well because this is my imprint.
“I enjoy playing with colour and using them in a way that will uplift me and everybody.”
Ms Bateman is also a member of the Djaadjawan Dancers, a female traditional Aboriginal dance group based in Narooma, who will have an exhibition of their traditional jewellery, craft and costumes at the Bundian Way gallery over summer this year.
The Aboriginal gallery in Delegate came about as part of the Bundian Way project, an initiative of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, and is supported by the Delegate Progress Association, Bombala Council and South East Arts.
The Bundian Way is a shared history pathway connecting the coast to the high country.
The Yuin in Me will be launched at the Bundian Way Gallery at 11am on September 20. All are welcome.
