Shaun Edwards-Kalk
Shaun Edwards - Kalk is known to be one of the most profound of Kokoberrin’s
many artists. Kalk was born in Mareeba in 1975. He grew up in Cairns and
completed schooling and tertiary art studies in Cairns. Kalk, first returned
to he’s homeland in 1992, after living a early life not knowing
that while he was a different colour to the other kids, that he actually
came from a rich cultural background that still was mostly intact.
One way new way right.
He grew up having he's traditional grandmother
being around and learnt most of he’s family connections from her
and he’s mothers. It was in Normanton, in the Gulf of Caprpentaria,
at he’s grandmothers sisters funeral that he was introduced to
he’s great grand father. It was there that he’s learning
would begin. Known as he’s (Boy) in Kokoberrin customary lore
Boy Kenny Jimmy is actually described as he’s son, boy Kenny grew
up in the Kokoberrin homelands and later Kowanyama. Boy Kenny had chosen
Kalk to be the carrier of Kokoberrin culture for he’s people and
be the one to be given the bush skills to look after country and speak
for it. In the 90’s He secured funding to research and record
a number of works, ranging from a language dictionary, land and bush
medicines surveys to traditional songs of the Kokoberrin and the Kokoberra.
Despite not growing up as a young person
in he’s country, Kalk continually travelled back to his country,
living in and from the land for extended periods. He would draw strength
from taking he’s elders out to he’s country and thrill over
the energy rush that would be created by the excitement of going to
country. These days living and working in the city Kalk can only for
the mean time recreate these experiences by going back in meditation,
while painting and taking time out, until he returns home again. Kalk
started painting when he visited he’s in-lore in Mareeba in 1987.
She was a practicing artist in Mareeba. She gave him a piece of messmate
bark and some paint and this then gave him the building blocks to embark
on a career that would last he’s life.
Shaun Edwards – Kalk was given a bush name by his great grand
father, Kenny Jimmy. Kalk is the Kokoberra word for spear. A bush name
is given by a Traditional Owner and is used while on country. Kalk's
recording of he’s country is in his all of he’s paintings;
it can be described as leaving old walking tracks across the canvas
composed of white dots. This is derived from (old painting) customs.
Painting and craftworks is part of kalk’s culture and identity.
When he paints he finds a space where he can transform into a sense
of meditation. While he is a regular and committed painter, a number
of paintings he has produced have been done out of country, away from
he’s homeland. He is currently living in Brisbane to further he’s
career in Indigenous Health. He feels that to be able to practice art
and culture people must be well and healthy.
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