Shanai Kellett
A little bit about meI come from a family that is quite arty. I grew up watching my mum paint, learning from her way of doing things and then adding my own unique touch using symbols from my country, acrylic paint in most of my work and sometimes sand. My mum has been my biggest inspiration, she learnt the ‘sand art’ technique from her late Uncle Ralph, I also use this technique as it symbolises that connection to Mother Nature and earth. Maloga means Sand in my Yorta Yorta language.
I draw inspiration from our beautiful country, my Grandmothers country and my Grandfather’s country. I see the beauty in the landscapes of nature and I share that through my contemporary Aboriginal art style. I also like to express my opinions and make my art a talking point for Indigenous and non- indigenous people to continue to reconcile.
We have recently moved into an old school retro beach shack- it has a very cool room that I am currently setting up as my studio. Lots of open space, walls and storage for all of my paints, brushes, chairs, tables, sand ect. Once I have everything in order I am then start to begin priming a canvas, selecting the colour pallet and starting the acrylic painting work then sand to bring it all together. I sign off on the back of the canvas and write the story of the painting on a card for the client.
