Uncle Gregory Matthews was born in Hobart, Tasmania in 1947; he is proud to be a descendant; and Senior Elder of Tasmania’s Manegin People, a clan group belonging to the Northwest Nation. Uncle Greg’s Totem is The Sea Eagle, and his language group is Peerapper.
As a child, Uncle Greg remembers a need to connect with the bush and nature, and he remembers his grandfather and uncles teaching him aboriginal culture & many useful bush survival skills. Uncle Greg’s family moved to Melbourne, Victoria when he was 10 years of age, and he has lived there ever since. As an adult, Uncle Greg reconnected with his Indigenous heritage by travelling to his ancestor’s country and meeting with his Clan Elders.
Uncle Greg’s paintings and stories are derived from his own research & life experiences, in conjunction with the Traditional Manegin Tribal Lores & Customs that have since been passed on to him. Uncle Greg has developed his own unique contemporary Aboriginal art style, his art has been displayed in Hobart & Melbourne Galleries and displayed in commercial premises in both Melbourne & Sydney. Uncle Greg’s art has been acquired by collectors Australia wide & internationally. Selected designs of Uncle Greg’s art have also been commercially reproduced on high quality cotton fabric and is currently available internationally.
Uncle Greg has achieved local recognition for his art, and his art has won awards. Uncle Greg’s studio is in Berwick, Victoria.
Uncle Greg pays respects to the traditional owners of the land upon which his studio is located; he also acknowledges Aboriginal Elders past present and those who are emerging.