Gununga girawu – hiding goanna. This painting represents myself when everything is a bit much. Hidden in plain sight. Being quiet and observational, resting. Waiting for more energy and and mental space to come. Goanna is the totem of my people, Wiradjuri people.
Name: Tiarne Parker
Language: Wiradjuri
Biography:
Born and nurtured on Wiradjuri Country in Wagga Wagga. Tiarne resides and creates on Yorta Yorta Country. Immersed in a family of artists, including her two children, Tiarne carries forward a creative legacy that is deeply intertwined with her ancestral roots.
In 2014, Tiarne joined Kaiela Arts and was taken under the wing of Gamilaraay artist Uncle Eric Brown.
A self-taught contemporary artist, Tiarne's artistic expressions traverse a spectrum of mediums—painting, watercolour, drawing, and printmaking. Her artistry extends to larger canvases as well, with her hand bringing vibrant murals to life. Notable among these is a remarkable 12.5-meter "brain scan" mural, a kaleidoscope of colour and concept, which drew the attention of the ABC in a mini-documentary on January 26th, 2021.
For Tiarne, art has always been a vessel for expressing her profound ties to the land and her family. Her pieces often carry undertones of feminism, politics, and tradition, merging seamlessly with topographical motifs that pay homage to her ancestral lineage. This stylistic synergy reflects a harmonious blend of contemporary innovation and the enduring linear artistry of her forebearers.
Tiarne's distinctive creations were selected for Design Roots 2 – "Lake" in 2018. Collaborating with Spacecraft Studios, her designs made their way onto fabric through the intricate process of screen printing. The momentum continued with Design Roots 3 – "Identity" in 2019, a selection that propelled her work to the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and the Country to Couture Fashion Show. Her designs were featured in the NGV and Vogue Australia.
Tiarne also worked closely with other Kaiela artists to create “Yalka Lotjpa Nha”, a children’s Yorta Yorta language book.
Yesterday/Today – (Bigauga/Gananggurr) My representation of the comparisons of how yesterday and today is for me0n my life’s journey.