Hopetoun Park local Tanisha Quilliam is probably one of the most accomplished 15 year olds in Victoria.
The Bacchus Marsh Grammar year 10 student has displayed her artwork in the LUME Melbourne and spoken at the United Nations.
Now, the three time Koori Heritage Trust winner is displaying her art in an exhibit for the Moorabool council as part of Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
Quilliam said she is proud First Nations artists are getting a spotlight.
“It’s really amazing that they wanted to include more Indigenous people in exhibiting art and I just love sharing my culture with everybody,” she said.
Titled ‘The Art of Destruction and Rejuvenation’, Quilliam’s exhibit explores the different understandings that Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have with nature.
“I’ve noticed that the Indigenous community is struggling with trying to show that burning off the land is a way to rejuvenate it and bring back the natural growth and cycle of the land,” she said.
“I really wanted to showcase that because I’m very connected to Mother Earth.”
Quilliam said her favourite part of the exhibit was the end piece.
“It’s a 3D face which has the illustration of part of the Werribee River and it shows her beauty after all she’s been through.”
Quilliam’s father, Wayne, is a renowned photographer and curator. She said he inspires her in organic ways.
“He helps me grow in my creative ability but he pushes me in a way that creates my own sense of what I want to do.”
The outdoor exhibit, at The Village Green, 197 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh, will be open until Monday, July 29.
Eddie Russell
