The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is “For Our Elders”. Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role amongst Indigenous communities and families. They guide and pave the way for future generations, passing down their knowledge and experience in all aspects of life, including land management, human rights, culture, and art.
Art plays a crucial role in Aboriginal culture. Indigenous Australian People have no written language, so to pass down their culture through generations, it is portrayed through symbols and icons in their artworks. Storytelling is central to Indigenous art and is used to portray knowledge of the land, events, and beliefs of Aboriginal people.
For NAIDOC Week, KompleteCare had the opportunity to sit down with Indigenous Australian Artist Presten Warren, owner of Painted Studios. We asked him a few questions about his art, culture, inspiration, and how people can help support Indigenous Australian artists.
How long have you been painting, and what inspired you to start? Is there anyone in your life that introduced you to Indigenous art styles?
I have been painting since I was little because it is so relaxing, but I was inspired to begin painting professionally after my partner encouraged me based on some of the art I had already created. We built a website in September 2022, and everything started from there. My mother and grandmother introduced me to Aboriginal art and taught me everything they know for me to follow my own style.
What does art mean to you in terms of your culture?
Art in my culture holds very significant and special meaning for me, my family and my people. It is the vessel for our stories carried down for tens of thousands of years. I feel Indigenous artwork is extremely important in expressing and maintaining my culture.
What is your creative process? How do you come up with ideas for your artwork?
I either sit quietly with my thoughts and feelings and allow the rainbow and story to flow through me with each brushstroke, or I will draw up a draft on my iPad to give me some guidelines to follow as the piece evolves into a colourful and meaningful landscape for the viewer to experience the feeling of getting lost in the Dreamtime.
Do you always have a clear picture of how the artwork is going to look once it’s finished?
I have a clear vision of the artwork I am designing; however, almost always, the completed piece surprises me because my paintings are like ever-changing, living organisms with their own consciousness, always moving, adapting and evolving, telling their own story through me and my brush. The result is always different from my original vision, but in a good way. I am constantly striving to do better.
What are the first few steps you go through to get paint on canvas?
I cut my canvas to the preferred size, then set up my studio area to begin work. I lay painting tape on my canvas for clean edges and fill up my paint pots with the colour scheme I will be using. I usually have the TV on in the background and lots of cups of tea. Once my brush touches the canvas, I don’t stop until my paintings are finished because I get so excited by people’s reactions to them.
How do you tell stories through your art?
I tell stories through my art using traditional Indigenous symbolism. We like to educate our audience on Aboriginal culture by using stories that highlight interesting facts or the history attributed to First Nations People. Based on the colours and symbolism, I will come up with a fitting title and describe the story of the scene from there.
What Indigenous tribal group/s are you a part of, and do they affect your artistic style? How do you express your culture through your art?
I am a Mirning/Kokotha/Dieri/Wirangu man. This means that I have permission to create artworks of and from either the desert or ocean tribes of South Australia because I have a rare combination of bloodlines of the land and sea. My tribes definitely have an effect on my artistic stylings; I paint ocean and desert-themed paintings because of my connection to these tribal groups.
How does your culture affect the markings and symbols within your artworks? What do some of them represent?
My culture uses symbols to represent certain concepts and ideas in order to easily translate a story in art. For instance I use a lot of U shaped symbols which actually represent people sitting together, often with tools by their side and markings to indicate male or female gender. Animal tracks and plants are also common symbols I use in my artwork to represent our native flora and fauna and the symbiosis my people share with Country.
Have you had any experience working with traditional Indigenous pigments, like those made with ochre clay and kaolin clay? How is it different to working with modern paints?
I have had limited experience during school using traditional pigments like ochre, it is a lot harder and takes a lot longer due to the consistency but it is more of a slow and gentle process. I much prefer my acrylics.
How can people support Aboriginal artists?
You can support Aboriginal artists by making sure the art you are purchasing is legitimate. You can check this usually with details on the “About Us” section of a website. Here you can find whether the organization is Indigenous owned and operated, Australian based, if they provide Certificates of Authenticity etc. Another way is simply to react to social media posts featuring Aboriginal artworks, sharing these posts and commenting on them greatly impacts the artists exposure to new audiences. Speak to your employer about national campaigns like NAIDOC week and Reconciliation Week, ask if they are interested in supporting or even get them in touch with an Aboriginal artist, there are LOTS of ways a business can benefit from licensing Aboriginal art. You can also commission a custom artwork, purchase art, and show it off!
How can people ensure they are purchasing and supporting authentic Aboriginal art?
Please make sure you are purchasing from a legitimate source. Always check website details to make sure you are buying from a genuine Aboriginal artist. Overseas companies often steal and profit from Indigenous art so its always important to check they are registered with an official organisation like Supply Nation who require Proof of Aboriginality in order to join. All Aboriginal artworks should come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Make sure you get one with your purchase.
KompleteCare are proud owners of a custom commissioned artwork by Presten, “Community”, which is hanging proudly in the boardroom of our head office in Kilburn, alongside its Certificate of Authenticity.
You can find all of Presten’s art pieces available to purchase through his website, Painted Studios. Presten is currently selling original pieces as well as prints of various artworks if you missed out on your favourite piece. Prints are also available as a range of products, all the way from Airpods cases and beach towels to travel mugs and phone cases. You can also submit a commission enquiry for custom artwork requests. You can even request a recreation of a sold out painting, so if there is a design you’ve fallen in love with, Presten can replicate the design for you!
To show your support, follow Presten at Painted Studios on Instagram and Facebook.