Shannon draws on her culture
Artist Shannon Shaw (above) got a thrill at the weekend to see Norths Tigers players run on to the field in jerseys she designed for their Dreamtime at the Sea game.
ARTIST Shannon Shaw had the perfect narrator when it came to learning the stories of her forebears.
Her father is traditional owner and Yirrganydji elder Dr George Skeene, whose work as an indigenous archaeologist, historian and researcher was recognised in 2013 with an Honorary Doctor of Letters from James Cook University and in 2016 with the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia.
“While growing up in Cairns, I learnt about Aboriginal art and traditions from my father,” the mother of two says.
“It was after seeing my father paint that I thought I’d like to become good at it too.
“I used to listen to Dad’s stories and got interested in turning them into artwork.
“We did things together and exchanged ideas for stories and designs.”
Shannon studied for a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts at TAFE and participated in a number of exhibitions locally and internationally. But like many new parents, she took a break while bringing up her family.
In the last couple of years, she has returned to painting and started exhibiting again and is also undertaking a business course to help develop her career.
“I’m refreshing my brain to better myself professionally and really enjoying going to class,” she says.
Runner-up in the Rabbitohs’ NRL Indigenous Jersey Design for Queensland competition last year, Shannon got a thrill recently when she was commissioned to design guernseys for the North Cairns Tigers AFL team in their Dreamtime by the Sea game against Cairns City Lions.
“It was an amazing feeling to see them when they ran on to the field,” she says.