Gurri Art

artists profile

John “Gurri“ Kelly is an Aboriginal Australian artist who’s art depicts stories from his home and people - the Dunghutti Nation, Kempsey on the  mid north coast of NSW.

With every brush stroke, John Kelly imparts his own special brand of cultural knowledge. When Gurri talks, you instantly know that art and culture are two things he feels very passionately about. In fact, to Gurri they are as one.

Through his art, Gurri expresses his passion and love for his culture and traditions in a way that has brought him personal satisfaction as well as success and recognition.

I started painting around ten years ago. My mother was a painter, and my father was a very cultural man. I listened to the old people and gained some of their knowledge in the way of symbols and the way of the land.

My father told me to paint what was in my mind, which is why I never draw anything beforehand. I visualise it, and then I approach the canvas and just attack it.  Art is a form of expression that is captured from inside. You feel good about it. We have the ability to paint, carve, weave and dance to tell the stories of our families and community.

I carry on the beliefs of my father that culture is the way of tomorrow, by passing it onto my sons and daughters and my grandchildren, hoping that it is a dreamtime tomorrow not a nightmare tomorrow…

Solo Exhibitions:

2007 ‘Recent Works’, Newport Artworks Gallary, Newport, NSW Australia
2007 Artist for the Deadly Awards, Opera House, Sydney (National awards for Aboriginal Australians recognising, excellences in all fields of endeavor)
2006 Artist for the Deadly Awards, Opera House, Sydney
2005 Artist for the Deadly Awards, Opera House, Sydney
2004 Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney, Australia
2004 Artist for the Deadly Awards, Opera House, Sydney
2003 Macleay Valley Art Gallery - solo exhibition in my home town that allowed my new found art to come alive

Group Exhibitions:

2007 ‘Recent Works’, Newport Art Gallary, Newport, NSW Australia
2007 First State, First People, Parliament House Exhibition
2005 ‘Mandela Collaborative Series’ Touch of Mandela Gallery The Rocks, Sydney Harbour
2005 Inaugural First State, First People, Parliament House, NSW
2004 Boomalli Arts Co-op, Lightening strikes Exhibition, Booroogen Yetti Bunyip ) found its new home, at nsw Parliament House Macquarie sreet Sydney
2004 World Image Expo at Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

Major Achievements:

2007 Finalist - First State, First People NSW
2007 Only artist for the annual “Deadly Awards”
2006 Only artist for the annual “Deadly Awards”
2005 Finalist - Inaugural - First State, First People NSW
2005 One of only three Aboriginal Artist to be hung permanently in Parliament House NSW
2005 Only artist for the annual “Deadly Awards”
2004 One of only fifty artists chosen globally to co paint charcoal drawings by former South African President, Nelson Mandela
2004 Only artist for the annual “Deadly Awards”

Collections:

2007 Logan City Council Queensland
2007 Center Link NSW
2006 Durri AMS Hospital, NSW
2005 Work Directions NSW
2004 Sony Corporation Australia (NSW)
2004 Parliament House NSW
2003 Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney, Australia
2003 National Parks & Wildlife New South Wales, Australia
2003 Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies - Newcastle University
2002 Roach Mining
2002 CBD Prestige Homes
2002 Masterton Homes
2001 River Mount College Queensland