• PHOTO: Rainy King’s entry into the Art Unlimited competition titled “Bawi-li Dhunbarrbila-li dhuwarr” which saw her in the top four of more than 100 entries.
COONAMBLE teacher, artist and photographer Lorraine (Rainy) King has been recognised at the prestigious regional competition Art Unlimited held in Dunedoo recently.
Organisers say that her triptych (three images presented as one work) depicting an Aboriginal woman collecting and winnowing native grains using a ‘wirri’ (small coolamon) was “one of the most striking works” in the photography category of this year’s competition.
The photographs earned Rainy a Highly Commended award and plenty of attention from fellow artists.
“This is the first time I’ve ever entered anything apart from the Coonamble Show,” Rainy said. “I didn’t realise what a big deal it was but people from all over Australia enter into that competition.”
“Even professional people put their work in – so I was a bit chuffed.”
This year Art Unlimited attracted almost 300 entries from artists, photographers and ceramicists all over Australia, with photography one of the biggest categories.
Coonamble’s Arts Alive and Ceramics Collective members have been long term supporters of the event and they encouraged Rainy to enter.
“I’ve always dabbled in arts of all forms but being a mum at a young age, studying and working full-time, life sort of gets in the way,” she said.
“Since I came back to Coonamble ten years ago I’ve had time to try more things and starting learning more.”
About five years ago Rainy joined a TAFE course in photography, making the round trip to Mudgee every second weekend for two years.
“I really wanted to learn how to use my camera,” she said.
“From that I got asked to do family photos, I did a wedding and it took on a life of its own.
“Then I’d put my camera down and take up ceramics, and I jump from one to another.
“I like to keep busy, if my hands are busy its good for my mental health and wellbeing,” said Rainy.
Her prize winning work is very close to her heart, undertaken as a collaboration with her cousin Dianne Hall, another Weilwan woman now living in Queensland.
Dianne approached Rainy to help her document a research project as part of her Doctine of Visual Arts through the Queensland College of Art at Griffith University.
The project focuses on the revival of the Dhunbarrbila (native seeds) and the continuum of this traditional food source.
The name of Rainy’s work – “Bawi-li Dhunbarrbila-li dhuwarr” – translates as “to sing seed to seed cake.”
Although Rainy has done cultural photos for family before she says she “fell out of her comfort zone for this work.”
“I did the photographs to help her tell her story for her studies,” Rainy said. “She said she needed to come home, be on country and get me to do it.”
Photography judge Jude Morrell said, “This beautiful triptych shows a powerful indigenous connection to land and country.”
“The collecting of seeds in these photographs is gently portrayed by the interplay between the images.
“The first two images are sensitive and delicate, with subtle use of colour and a beautiful feeling throughout. The last one completes the story on a more dramatic note with the blowing of the seeds to the wind.”