THE GALLERY YOU NEED TO EXPERIENCE

THE GALLERY YOU NEED TO EXPERIENCE

By KATHERINE SAMPSON

Toowoomba is known for its exquisite taste in arts and culture. What you probably didn’t realise we were missing was an Indigenous art gallery, and Doolamai Designs is here to fill that void.

The gallery is covertly located right on the corner of Railway and Taylor streets, and houses artworks created by local Indigenous artist Domi Doolamai. When you experience Domi’s work you might be a bit confused by how far the artworks stray from stereotypical Indigenous art; packed full of colour and imagination with strong ties to the Indigenous dreamtime - each piece of work showing immense attention to detail even on the largest canvas. However, Domi’s artworks aren’t restricted to the average canvas, but rather a canvas scroll.

“I do that because in ancient Roman times, they used to have the scroll to tell a story,” Domi says. The 53-year-old is a mixture of Italian and the Indigenous Kalkaddon people, and so finds it appropriate and effective in his role of storytelling. “It’s like a scroll; and I like to tell a story because I think it’s a visual aid too. “I want you to come walk with me in my dreaming, I want you to see the painting, I want you to be there in the morning and the night times. These are the most spiritual times for all of us, when you’re sitting back looking across a lake or across adam you’ve got that time to contemplate that spirituality of who we are and where we are, and I’m proud to put that in my paintings” he says. When it comes to the colour of the art, Domi is passionate about the use of all colours of paint. His ‘go to’ medium are acrylics that he sources from Murrays Art & Framing here in Toowoomba.

“I’m a strong believer in colour; I see the colours in everything and I just think it’s important to throw colour in there. “I love my traditional colours, I love the cultural aspect of it, but I also like to experiment and just use colour; I think that’s the most important thing,” Domi says. He explains there is no written rule: saying there were never colours in Australia prior to colonisation. “I think a lot of people are frightened that everybody thinks that Indigenous culture has to be red, yellow, black, white. That’s it, I’m the opposite. “I’m sure if they had access to the colours I use today, they would have used them.” One standout element throughout Domi’s artworks is that of a vibrant blue butterfly. This being Domi’s grandmother’s totem and the glyph of the gallery, an ode and sign of respect to his late elder which is manifested into every painting.

Gallery director, and daughter of Domi, Cara Green was happy that her father’s work is now finally being given the space and recognition it deserves. “He’s been painting for over 27 years now, so constantly seeing those artworks growing up and not having anywhere for them to go, it’s peaceful and nice,” she says. Domi’s art is that piece of culture Toowoomba has been lacking for far too long. Cara told Style there just aren’t enough places to see Indigenous art.

“It’s very limited, so it’s good that we’ve got this here (the gallery) so we can actually share it with people. “It’s a physical place to go, and it gives Dad a place to paint; and I have a place to just do everything else,” Cara says. Domi paints from sunrise to sunset and anywhere he can – Cara says her father lives and breathes his art. “He literally doesn’t stop, we’re open from Monday to Sunday, except Wednesdays. “But even then… he’s always painting. “He’s at home, he paints at home. “He comes here,he paints here, morning and night.” If you head down to 2B Taylor Street to check out the gallery, be sure to meet Cara and their mini-manager, Cara’s youngest son (2-years-old) manning the front desk, if you walk a little bit further, you’ll see where the magic really is made, and experience Domi painting right in the middle of the Doolamai Designs Art Gallery. As they prepare for their first birthday, Doolamai Designs Art Gallery, Cara and Domi invite the public down to see in person the remarkable artworks being created. You’ll also find other work from contributing artists including jewellery, traditional Pitjantjatjara artefacts and hand-carved didgeridoos; as well as other smaller gift options like postcards, t-shirts and bags. Doolamai Designs also takes on commission work relating to any Indigenous style. The gallery opened almost a year ago and is preparing to celebrate its first birthday on December 1. Cara says they aren’t quite sure how they plan on celebrating yet, but keep an eye out on their social media to find out more - @doolamaidesigns on Instagram or through their Facebook page Doolamai Designs.