COONAMBLE artist Kevin ‘Sooty’ Welsh is reaping the rewards of his commitment to his creative work as his latest exhibition puts him in the right place at the right time with regional tourists putting their hands in their pockets to take home a piece of the district.
The Outback Arts Gallery is hosting a display of his ceramics and the exhibition has coincided with a surge in both regional tourism and an interest in authentic local Indigenous art.
“The exhibition opened on 17th August and we had 45 pieces to start with,” said Outback Arts’ Communications and Touring Co-ordinator Maddi Ward.
“Easily half has sold already and most have been taken by people from Sydney and other travellers.”
“Most of the customers knew of Sooty and had seen his work before,” she said.
His profile has grown significantly since Sooty’s work was featured in exhibitions over the past twelve months at high profile Carriageworks, Koskela and Boomali galleries in Sydney as well as the NSW Museum.
Given that Sooty works full-time at Coonamble High School, he has worked hard to maintain his creative output in his ‘spare’ time.
“I used to do quite a bit of photography but the ceramics has almost taken over,” said Sooty.
“I usually go down the shed after work until about 6pm.
“I’ve just got to keep at it so I go to the shed most days. I never thought this would be happening to me,” said Sooty.
“I’m lucky it’s something I love doing.”
His latest exhibition is called ‘Scarred’, referring to the inspiration he takes from the patterns on scar trees created by Sooty’s Wailwan ancestors.
He became fascinated with the scarred trees when he was working on archaeological digs more than twenty years ago, and started taking photographs “out of personal interest”.
For this exhibition, he also used a series of images supplied by the State Library of NSW, showing scarred trees from around the state – many of which he recognised from his own collection.
Sooty says the scarring of trees is significant for marking burial sites and boundaries.
The exhibition name ‘Scarred’ signifies the immeasurable damage and long-lasting effects Sooty experienced after being disconnected from family and Country as part of the Stolen Generation.
“I’m inspired by the scar trees,” he said.
“The markings are amazing, and the skill to create them with a stone axe.”
There is a wide variation in the scarring patterns and Sooty says he is careful not to copy the exact markings because of their full meaning and purpose.
“I generally draw one main line and start from there – inspiration more or less takes over,” he said.
He uses white clay and stoneware with a clear glaze and has created vases, mugs and jugs as well as his hallmark coolamons using a mix of hand-builds and molds, most of which he has made himself.
“I’ve got to be one of the slowest operators going around,” says Sooty. “Other people have got this rustic look going but I’m a bit of a perfectionist.”
“I want people to think it’s wheel-thrown when it’s not – that’s the buzz I get.”
Maddi says she has seen a surge in the appetite for local artwork, and particularly from Indigenous artists.
“People want to learn about the culture and art from this area and they want to buy something authentic,” she said.
“Buyers are looking for original pieces at different price points – from small trinkets through to large works.”
Maddi says exhibitions like Sooty’s are also about educating people that Aboriginal artists in regional NSW have a diverse, distinctive and very active cutlure today – it’s not just in the Top End.
She says the people and the stories behind the art are important to customers.
“They like to know who’s doing it,” said Maddi. “Everyone is searching for local and handmade art.”
Sooty says he would like to see more men and more Aboriginal people working on their art and getting involved with Arts Alive and Outback Arts.
“Coonamble in general has this art and craft feel about it, everyone’s doing their own thing,” he said.
“I’d love to see more of my mob in here (at Outback Arts), as artists or even just to come in and look.”
“There’s some with so much talent,” said Sooty.
He says the benefits are more than just the money to be made and is keen for others to experience the peace of mind that can come with artistic practice.
For now Sooty has plenty to keep him occupied.
He recently received a call from the Australian Museum.
“It was pretty good to get a phone call from them,” said Sooty.
“And I’ve got to start to get some stock up for Christmas.”
The ‘Scarred’ exhibition will run until 25 September … as long as stock lasts.
