Gumnuts
Gumnuts and how they come from the eucalyptus tree. The eucalyptus leaf was used for healing and for many other things that were associated with healing and sickness that were in our tribes.
It wasn’t until after I had done a painting about gumnuts that I was told of Myrtle Rust disease attacking the eucalyptus leaves and many other plants.
My great great grandmother used the eucalyptus leaf and gumnuts to make medicine so I feel I have a connection with her when I paint about gumnuts and eucalyptus leaves.
Artist:
Sharon Smith
Art Medium:
Acrylic on canvas
76 x 76 cm
$1,700
Sharon Smith
Sharon Smith is a descendant of the Wiradjuri tribe of western New South Wales. An emerging artist, Sharon’s paintings reflect her love of the natural world. Through her depictions of landscapes, trees and animals, Sharon explores her own personal connection with, and her people’s age-old relationship to, the earth.
Sharon’s paintings thematically express her heritage and culture and work as an affirmation of her identity. Sharon has been a Boomalli member since 2010.
As soon as she picked up a brush, she felt that everything had fallen into place. Art was not just a hobby – it was a means of uncovering her personal and cultural identity.
Along with her exhibitions at Eora, Sharon began exhibiting with Boomalli in 2010 in the “Amnesty Impressions” exhibition. She became a member of the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative and a regular volunteer.
In 2012 she exhibited in “The Graduates”, at The Limelight Gallery NSW and Kerrie Lowes Gallery NSW. Sharon continues to exhibit regularly at Boomalli. Sharon was a finalist in the Parliament House Art Awards 2014 and a finalist in the Fishers Ghost Awards 2015.
As well as being a means of connecting with the wider society, Sharon’s art has also played a major role in her personal journey towards gaining understanding and insight into where she comes from.
The Art and Science of Myrtle Rust 