Koskela Gallery presents Doreen Chapman: Looking, Looking, Painting.

The Koskela Gallery is pleased to present, Looking, Looking, Painting, a joyful collection of works by contemporary Pilbara artist, Doreen Chapman.

Photographed by Sophia Constantine, provided by Spinifex Hill Studio

Doreen’s distinctive use of bright pastels and funky characterisations of animals, people and place are not only an expression of joy, but a portal into how she sees the world. As a deaf and non-verbal artist, Doreen uses her paints as a tool of communication which is clear through her emotive and endearing works.

Photographed by Sophia Constantine, provided by Spinifex Hill Studio

“Been born Jigalong. Big sister for my son, Dennis Thomas. She been come this way, Hedland. Doreen and me are from Karntimarta, Warralong. I been bring her here. Little girl she start painting in Warralong. She looking… looking… she quick painter, quickly, looking, looking. No fishing, no hunting, no car, painting, painting every day eh? You been bring ‘em, she painting, painting, painting! (laughs)"

Doreen’s Mother, Maywokka May Chapman

Doreen started painting with her mother, Maywokka May Chapman and went on to become a revered solo artist. As a Manyjilyjarra artist, Doreen spent the majority of her adult life in Warralong, a community 120km south-east of Port Hedland. In recent years she has spent more time in Port Hedland and began painting at the Spinifex Hill Studios.

Photographed by Sophia Constantine, provided by Spinifex Hill Studio

Photographed by Sophia Constantine, provided by Spinifex Hill Studio

Spinifex Hill Studio stands on Kariyarra Country in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is home to one of the youngest Aboriginal art collectives in the north-west of Australia, Spinifex Hill Artists.

As well as being the home of Spinifex Hill Artists, the Studio functions as a cultural hub for the broader Pilbara region. It is managed by non-profit cultural organisation FORM through a partnership with BHP, with support from the Federal Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program.

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