A M I N N WA R R A A R T AW A R D S 2 0 1 3 - City of Armadale

Deborah Bonar
Minnawarra Art Awards 2013
Perth based artist Deborah Bonar
has created a unique and easily
identified personal style, painting
with lyricism and delicacy, producing
work of immense visual power and
complexity. Her paintings are bold
kaleidoscopes of vigorous lines
which can be read as an abstract
configuration of shapes and colour.
Bonar approaches each bare canvas
surface with a spirit of discovery.
Bonar’s spontaneous prismatic colours
dance upon the canvas, reflecting
this sense of positive energy, optimism,
balance and harmony. The myriad
dots and motifs symbolise the
footprints of her Aboriginal ancestors
as they travelled across the landscape.
Bonar’s artwork demonstrates
the importance of place in our
consciousness, in forming cultural
identity and in capturing and
fascinating our imagination.
It symbolises the continuation of
ancient pathways, journeys taken,
destinations and meeting places.
Bonar’s artwork is an exploration
and a celebration of her Gija and
Yamatji heritage. Through her art, she
reconnects with her culture - country,
family and history. Her Aboriginal
identity and her development as
an artist are strongly interlinked.
Creating art gives her a voice and
the artistic expression to tell her
interpretive stories of Aboriginal
culture and her people’s strong
spiritual connection to land, water
and nature.
Home by the Swan River
The river and surrounding wetlands
were a rich source of food and
material resources for the Nyoongar
people.
Home by the Swan River $4,500
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