Matthew Shields (left) and Erica Bernard met in Broome recently to discuss World Youth Day - a week of festivities in Sydney in July 2008. Matthew works with NATSICC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council) and Erica runs the WYD08 desk for the Diocese of Broome.
Photo: CAS

Issue 6, September 2007,

Highlights:

Editorial

Viewpoint

World Youth Day

That's what they do... An Artist - for Pride, Peace and Country

Office of Justice, Ecology and Peace - Aboriginal issues must not become political football again

The Good Samaritan Ministry celebrates sesquicentenary

Long serving employee awarded

Rosemary awarded for outstanding work in community

Tall Ship Sailing

KCP Magazine

An Artist – for Pride, Peace and Country

Daniel Walbidi is a young accomplished artist from La Grange-Bidyadanga who has exhibited in Broome, Melbourne, Sydney and London. His works were part of an exhibition held at St James for two weeks earlier this year. He says that these achievements have given him “a sense of pride and peace”.

Daniel is establishing, with help from friends, a place to paint with the other older artists at Bidyadanga. “I am always happy around old people when they paint their country. Being with them when we paint makes me feel good”. he said.

Daniel’s family is well represented in the Sandy Desert communities to the south-east of La Grange-Bidyadanga. He has visited the country of his grandparents and his father and is inspired by what he has seen. Daniel is also the subject of a David Battye documentary to be released later this year covering one of his trips ‘to country’.

To Daniel’s credit he can also boast a solo exhibition in Melbourne which he says, with shyness in his voice, was a success. Along with other artists at Bidyadanga, David’s career began with the support and initiative of Sr Pat Sealy, a Josephite Sister, who encouraged the people ‘to paint their country and feelings on canvas’.

Daniel’s use of acrylic paints is fresh and engaging. His success to date is well deserved and he has every right to be proud of his standing as a respected Kimberley artist.

[Daniel’s work is often available at the Short Street Gallery, Broome, under the guiding hand of proprietor Emily Rohr.]

Photo: Daniel, with friend, outside Buckingham Palace, London, during the time of his London exhibition.

Photo: Painting of Country by Daniel Walbidi. Photographer: CAS

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