• PHOTO: Shanae Jones, winner of the Deaf Children’s Australia “Heroes and Leaders” Art Exhibition.
THE winners of the ‘Heroes and Leaders’ Art Exhibition were announced on 15 April, with Coonamble local, Shanae Jones taking out the 12-17 years category.
The competition was organised and sponsored by Deaf Children Australia and could be entered by those with a hearing impediment.
Shanae took six weeks to complete her painting titled ‘Thakun Winarr’ – the Wailwan translation of ‘Earth Woman.’
The painting was sent down to Melbourne’s Gasworks Arts Park to be exhibited from 4 April through to 7 May.
“I was a little bit surprised,” said Shanae.
The piece depicts a woman and her environment interlocked as one, conveying the symbiotic relationship between the two. “It represents the Wailwan women in my town,” said Shanae.
“These women are a great inspiration in supporting my artwork and my love for the environment.”
“I wanted to explore how the environment relates to Wailwan women, to our country and how they take care of the land and pass their knowledge on.”
The Heroes and Leadership competition aims to “celebrate the creative skills of young deaf and hard of hearing artists.”
“Taking part in the competition gave me the opportunity to express my feelings and to show people what I’m capable of doing with my art,” said Shanae.
“I submitted a painting as I’m able to express my ideas more effectively.”
Shanae says the prize money awarded will be going straight back into her art.
“I can buy more paints, and more art supplies so I can experiment with different forms of art like ceramics or oil painting.”
But sadly for Coonamble, Shanae is now heading up north to Katherine in the Northern Territory to move with her family.
“There’s a great art school up there,” said Nancy Thurston, Shanae’s mother.
“They have a big focus on indigenous art so she’ll be able to continue it up there.”
And as for the award itself, Nancy couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s efforts.
“We knew she was talented but we didn’t know how much,” laughed Nancy.
“We’re really proud, it was exciting when we found out.”