Cooktown School of Art Society Inc
Lea Stevens Cooktown Artist
I was born in 1965 in Atherton, on the North Queensland tablelands. I am one of six daughters and two brothers of Tennyson Stevens and Angeline Davis.
Dad was born on Palm Island and is from thr mBarbarum and Yedinji nations and mum is from the KuKu Yalanji and Guugu Yimidthirr nations and grew up at Mossmon Gorge. Dad's work took us to many small towns throughout the north. My older brother and sisters had gone to many different schools but Mum made sure that we all attended.
In 1984, after my first child, I moved to Cairns where my Uncle Joe and Aunty Betty encouraged me to paint boomerangs and clapsticks. This was the first time I got to learn anything about Aboriginal Art and the tools that our ancestors used. I loved going to the workshops, where I observed my older cousins and other local murries making and painting these artifacts. My Uncle and Aunty also ran their Aboriginal Arts and Crafts shop called Anuaka where they sold all their art work.
Twenty four years later I picked up a paint brush and started painting on canvas. My Mum knew all along that I would enjoy this sort of art and is proud of my works. Mum has shared a lot of stories and although new to this experience shared her expertise as an elder. I now have the opportunity to share my visions of Far North Queensland with the rest of the world.
I am looking forward to any new challenges that my art may bring.
Art Prizes Won:
2008 Hope Vale Art and Cultural Award - Indigenous Art
Highly Commended: Acrylic on canvas, titled “Splash”
2011 Hope Vale Art and Cultural Award - Indigenous Art
Highly Commended: Acrylic on canvas titled 'Snake'
Current Works of Art Available to View At:
Yaram Arts, Cairns, Orchid Plaza.
‘Croc Shop’, Cooktown
Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery, Cooktown
Publicity: Cooktown Local News Article on Lea's First Solo Exhibition Friday 4 December 2009 to Tuesday 19 January 2010 at the UMI Art Gallery Martyn St, Cairns.- see Cooktown Art Blog
'Gone Fishing' 2010
'Spirits of the Rainforest' 2010
'Splash' 2008
'Barra Chase' 2008
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