DARREN BLACKMAN | 'Gangga (the white bellied sea eagle) | Etching | Fine Art Print

Born in the sugar cane town of Nambour in South East Queensland, Darren’s mixed heritage plays a significant role in his artwork. His father is Ganggalu, of Central East Qld, and Goreng Goreng of the Fraser Coast area in South East Qld.  Darren’s mother is of kanaka decent, who’s grandparents were brought to Australia, to work on cane plantations, from the northern islands of Vanuatu.

Saltwater theme’s, personal cultural subjects and birds feature heavily in his artwork. Although he draws and dabbles in ceramics, Darren’s passion is printing, whether it be a mono print, linocut, etching and screen printing.  By printing on textiles, he has created beautiful designs with his pattern work. Land, sea, sky and natural occurring patterns in flora and fauna, from his Traditional country, can appear in Darren’s artwork.

Completing his Cert IV in Cultural Arts, Diploma in Drawing, Painting and Printing, Darren also obtained his Cert IV in Trainer and Assessor where he’s trained in Cultural Arts on the Palm Is Community, Yarrabah Community and Bamaga Community. He currently works as a Tutor/Trainer for TAFE Far North in the Visual and Cultural Arts Department assisting students with their studies, but at the same time acquiring more skills and knowledge for his own practice.

DARREN BLACKMAN | 'Gangga (the white bellied sea eagle) | Etching | 2016 | 53.5 x 39 cm

Artist: Darren Blackman

Born: Nambour

Region: Fraser Island

Clan: Ganggalu, Goreng Goreng