2 minute read
Painting a Story
The final word
James Waterton is a descendant of the Gangalu and Iman People. Growing up in Rockhampton, Mt Morgan and Woorabinda, James started painting when he was a little boy. During Term 2, James has been sharing his art passion with RGS students.
James Waterton
ARTIST
During Term 2, RGS students and staff collaborated to create an artwork that represented many aspects, including the students’ cultures, the School and the traditional people of Rockhampton. Every Wednesday during Form and Morning Tea the students would meet at the RGS Art Rooms. The concept started with sharing ideas for their story before paint even touched the canvas. The piece of art morphed into a growing story as the weeks went on. Guided by RGS staff Ms Rosie Akers and Mr David Faiumu, the students have shared their story not through words but a picture to be displayed in the School’s Islay Lee Learning Centre. Guiding them throughout the process was local Indigenous artist James Waterton who creates modern traditional art. James is also a youth worker at Darumbal.
How did you get involved in art?
“I’ve always been involved in artwork. My dad (an Elder of the Iman People) is an artist. He taught me the meaning of artwork and what to use, what tools and everything around culture. I was also taught be about the history of Aboriginal art.”
Why do you enjoy creating art?
“It started off with me just being interested in what my dad did but ended up being a therapy for me. In my spare time, when I’m stressed or having a hard time, this is what I fall on.”
What’s the starting point for each artwork?
“First I try to get to know the young people and see if they can tell their own story through art. I get a picture of what we have to work with. It’s about just connecting them back to their own lands and their people and finding out about their totems and different styles of painting they can use.”
Each artwork tells a different story?
“All of my art tells a story. I put it down on a piece of paper first before I put it on canvas. This artwork – it’s around all the kids and the different cultures in the school, different tribes coming together. This painting means connecting them to the school and connecting them to each other and connecting them to the country they are on, the Darumbal people.”
What do you hope the RGS students gain from this collaborative experience?
“I hope it connects them to their culture more, and brings more of an understanding who aboriginal people are and what they are all about. Even with the non-indigenous kids seeing a painting the kids have done it might give them further insight and understanding.”
