Lindsay Nelson

Mixed Media on paper

48.1 x 69.5 cm

Lindsay Nelson was born in 1974, and grew up in Ali Curang, his home country is Jarra Jarra. Lindsay speaks both Walpiri and Kaytetye. Initially, he worked for the Council at Ali Curang in Community Development before settling in Tennant Creek where he began painting with the Tenant Creek Brio. Nelson’s father was an important ceremonial boss in the region and widely respected for his knowledge of Law and country – this is reflected in his sparse and elegant iconography, which draws to a great degree upon the ceremonial language of his forebears.

The Tennant Creek Men’s art program started in 2016 as an art therapy/ outreach program set up by Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corp. The group, a mix of fringe dwellers and emerging cultural leaders, have continued to work together and often collaboratively, forming a unique and cutting-edge artist collective named ‘The Tennant Creek Brio‘. Their work pushes conventions, drawing on imagery and traditions from the Wirnkarra (Dreaming), the Old Testament and mythic iconography from around the world. Their action paintings and performance represent the enthusiasm and dedication of the collective as they continue to develop a cathartic visual language fuelled by the material histories and complexities of life in Tennant Creek.