Buubumurr

This buubumurr (Gamilaraay for platypus) is a stylised representation of those that I see along the Macintyre River. I chose to do this painting in contemporary bright acrylics as something distinctly different to the traditional ochres. The colour choice makes it a much more lively and interesting work to hang in someone’s home or office to enjoy.

Buubumurr [Platypus]. Ready to hang. 380gsm 100% cotton deep edge stretched canvas. All paints are Atelier Interactive professional artists’ acrylics and all mediums are Atelier.

The dot pattern on the buubumurr’s body shows its bone structure and its two primary sources of energy from the centre of its body and its tail. The outline of the buubumurr was done through plaiting paint with an embossing tool. The background has been painted with natural sea sponges. The aluminium pigment in the silver ripples reflects the light and really highlights the geometry of the water. Care was taken to mix a large range of blues for the bubble streams between the ripples to add interest to the background. Brilliant magenta and brilliant violets were used for the buubumurr to make it stand out in the foreground as the primary feature of the work.

The artwork is secured by 49 strand grade316 stainless steel wire rope, 316grade stainless steel wire rope grips and screw eyes. The back of the artwork is titled, dated, signed and has a unique 5 digit artwork ID number to identify it.

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Mawu-gi [ Brent Emerson ]
Soft Pastel Artist, Printmaker , Acrylic Painter & Photographer

My creative work comes directly from what I observe in the world around me, especially when I am on country for cultural activities, sites work, bushwalking and fishing. I am greatly influenced by my family and community, and my Gamilaraay and Australian heritage, connection to Country and language. The connection between language and my creations is shown through my convention of using Gamilaraay titles for my works. This both educates others, expands my vocabulary and connects me to history (past, present and future).

I started creating 3 years ago following a recommendation from my psychologist, who was treating me for anxiety and depression, resulting from workplace bullying. This is something that I share with others so that they also feel that they can get help, and perhaps in the process find something they love doing. Previous to this I had never had the opportunity to create and was unaware that this was something that I had inside of me. When I am creating, I don’t think about yesterday or worry about tomorrow, I am simply in the moment. Art allows me to communicate my view and interpretation of the world. Together with my family, it gives me purpose.

I started as a printmaker (linoleum prints and serigraphs) after completing a Cert III Aboriginal cultural arts at Moree TAFE. Following this, I expanded my practice to using standard acrylic, and then impasto gel and spray acrylic. I especially love collecting, processing and using local ochres and natural pigments with acrylic as the binder.

Later, I took up the challenge of learning the new medium of soft pastels in 2018. With the help of a wonderful local tutor, Helena South, at weekly classes at the Inverell Art Gallery, I think I have found a medium that naturally suits me. After just 1 year of using soft pastels I was invited by Unison Colour to become an Associate Artist of Unison Colour and promote the wonderful medium of soft pastels. Soft pastels are an often misunderstood and underappreciated creative medium. I love applying pigment directly to a surface, it reminds me of all the work of my people that I see when I am out on Gamilaraay lands. It links me to the past, inspires me in the present and allows me share stories with others that will survive into the future through my art.