dellaram vreeland

There is no doubt that Dr Deanne Gilson’s art conjures up a myriad of emotions for all those who come across it – instilling a deep appreciation for Indigenous culture in their hearts and souls.

The proud Wadawurrung woman acknowledges she has been an artist all her life, and has received numerous accolades for her countless works. Just recently, she received three significant awards for her practice, including a community award for her tireless work teaching more than 20,000 students about her culture.

Not only an attempt to revive and regain the presence of cultural identity, Deanne says her contemporary art practice plays an intrinsic role in preserving and highlighting traditional cultural practices such as women’s business, Creation stories, artefacts, and marks and ceremonies – awakening culture once again through deep connections to Dja (Country).

“My practice aims to demonstrate the way in which contemporary Aboriginal women’s business, including sacred and spiritual aspects of ceremony and connection to Country, align with the lived experiences of our people,” she explains.

Born in Naarm then making the move to her ancestral Country of Ballarat, the award-winning multi-disciplinary artist is renowned for her iconic pieces which challenge colonial patriarchal views such as those expressed in early Australian artistic practice and the notion of ‘Terra Nullius’ (no man’s land).

Often exhibiting bright tones contrasted against a darker background, much of Deanne’s bold and evocative works also depict the medicine and healing plants used by Aboriginal matriarchal women and ancestors, “thus creating a space for healing to take place through my art.”

The first Wadawurrung artist to bring back traditional marks and ancestral stories within her art practice after colonisation, Deanne even taught her mother Marlene Gilson how to paint – with Marlene’s signature multi-figure paintings also overturning the colonial grasp on the past by reclaiming and re-contextualising the representation of historical events.

“We are constantly evolving in response to the current social and political environment. We are reclaiming, reinvigorating, teaching our children, and unravelling the trauma caused by the invasion of our Country,” Deanne says.

Deanne’s work has been acquired by the likes of the National Gallery of Victoria, The National Wool Museum in Geelong, The Art Gallery of Ballarat, Deakin University, Koori Heritage Trust and many more. She was also shortlisted for the 66th Blake Art Prize in Sydney 2021 and has had works showcased in festivals and events across the country including White Night.

Whether it’s her depiction of Blue Bundjil – the symbol of love and protection, or her still-life pieces – evoking ultimate calm and offering a chance for contemplation, the role which her art plays in injecting spirit within her surrounding community, and enriching our knowledge of the past, present and future, is invaluable.

Find out more about how Deanne is raising people’s consciousness about Indigenous culture: @deannegilson

Words: Dellaram Vreeland

Featured artworks: Deanne Gilson