Artist Statement — Uncle Bill 

I painted Uncle Bill, a respected Aboriginal elder of Biripi land, ten years ago. This work was an Archibald entry, yet its relevance has only deepened with time. Through this portrait, I confront the ongoing legacy of colonialism and the urgent need for humanity to face the truths of our history. 

For over 80,000 years, Indigenous peoples have been the custodians of this land, managing it with profound knowledge, balance, and care—practices that sustained biodiverse ecosystems long before colonial settlement. In contrast, the past few centuries of so-called civilization and capitalism—particularly in Australia over the last 200 years—have brought ecological devastation, climate crisis, and social inequities. 

Uncle Bill is a reminder that the solutions to our planetary crises lie not only in science or technology but in returning to the wisdom embedded in Indigenous knowledge. By acknowledging and learning from this ancient stewardship, we can begin to heal both the land and ourselves