Style Artist

Chern’ee Sutton chats to Style

Tell us a little about yourself

I am a contemporary Indigenous artist and a proud Kalkadoon woman from the Mount Isa area currently living in Bundaberg, Queensland. I am passionate about reconciliation and my people’s history and culture and want to share that with the rest of the world through my art.

Describe your style

My style combines my traditional Aboriginal heritage with a modern contemporary twist creating a colourful and unique representation of two worlds combined as one.

When did you start painting?

I entered my first art competition at 13 years old and won first place in the open category and have been painting madly ever since. Through my art I have helped many charities to raise funds and have been recognised for this by winning many awards including Australia Day awards, local and national NAIDOC awards, Qld Pride of Australia award, young achiever awards and have been an Australia Day Ambassador for the past four years.

What are some of the highlights of your artistic life?

I have exhibited my artworks in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Melbourne and Sydney. I have met with Royalty on several occasions and have two paintings hanging in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace, one painting permanently hanging on the Reconciliation level of Qld Parliament House and two paintings hanging in Qld State Library. My artworks have been commissioned by Queensland Government, Tennis Australia, National Rugby League, Caritas Australia, Dreamworld, Australian Defence Force, Essendon AFL ... I recently created the Indigenous markings and story for Borobi the GC2018 Commonwealth Games Mascot, created a 14 metre art piece with the 20,000 volunteers and a nine metre painting in the Athletes Village with the athletes and dignitaries including His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales.

What do you like about Toowoomba?

I love the Carnival of Flowers. The bright kaleidoscope of colours reminds me of one of my paintings.