Born in North Sydney in 1964, Suzy Evans is a painter and business-woman. She is from the Kamilaroi people of Moree in north-west New South Wales and it is from this connection that she draws her artistic inspiration. Evans describes her works of acrylic paints on wood, paper and canvas as “colour abstract representations of cultural symbols” (2009 pers. comm.).
Evans came to the visual arts relatively late in life when, in 2003, she enrolled in the Certificate in Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Practices at the Moree campus of the New England College of TAFE. She showed her work for the first time in 2004 in a TAFE end of year group show. After leaving TAFE, Evans work was shown in a group show of Indigenous students at the University of Technology in Sydney (2006); in 'Harmony – Sydney '07’ shown at Sydney Olympic Park and in Beijing, China (2007); and 'Harmony '08’ at Gallery M16 in Canberra (2008). She exhibited a series of totem poles during a group show at Moree Plains Art Gallery during its 20th anniversary celebrations (2009).
Her work has been used by ANTAR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) in brochures promotion Indigenous Health, and in 2007 she was commissioned by NITV (National Indigenous Television) to realise their creative brand.
In 2008 her work Bengerang was shortlisted in the 25th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
In 2005 Evans set up a small business, 'modernmurri – new Aboriginal products’, that sells lino-cut printed greeting cards as well as a range of paper, fabric and wooden products. In 2009 she returned to live in Moree, which is in the heart of her traditional country.
Evans has work in the permanent collection of the University of Technology, Sydney.
- Writers:
- Allas, Tess
- Date written:
- 2009
- Last updated:
- 2010
