I appreciate your interest in learning about who I am and my art practice.
I am known as Woodinda, named after the great hunter of the Djribalngan people. I am from the Jirrbal clan and Ravenshoe, born in Far North Queensland.
My art practice embraces storytelling through mark making and draws from conversation and collaboration with my clients.
My clients business or personal stories inform my artwork. Through conversation and understanding, I create unique paintings that encompass the land and people working or living on that land.
I hope my art contributes to one great nation where all Australians have a deep connection to their place and live their dreams. My work supports the mission of Reconciliation Australia. Reconciliation Australia was established in 2001 and is the national body for reconciliation in the nation. We are an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes and facilitates reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
I was born in Cairns, Far North Queensland, I am a man of the Djirbalngan people and am one of few artists that are painting the traditional stories of the rainforest people. I won my first art award at the age of 10 years old, and my father Woodinda Snr (Joe Wallace Snr) was a very talented artist in his time. In 1993 I was first introduced to acrylic painting and since then, I have expressed myself on canvas and paper using this medium.
My traditional name Woodinda is that of a great hunter of the Djirbalngan people and was given to me at a young age. Hunters are considered to be of great value to the clan and must learn many skills such as tool use, tracking, reading the seasons, and knowledge of love, song and dance.
Throughout my painting, you will see the Djirbalngan culture that has been instilled in me by my grandmother, Maise Yarracali Barlow of the Jirrabal people.
The cultural heritage that my grandmother has passed down to me has given me a rich and strong sense of closeness to each piece I paint. Over the years my style has constantly evolved as I explore my artistic imagination by the traditional lifestyle that my ancestors once were governed by.
Many of my paintings depict the important foods that were hunted by the men. Each artwork is done with intense concentration and with great creative energy. My style and use of warm and strong colours give the canvas a relationship with my people, clan, and country. My art is collected by people all over the world and hanging in many homes.
I feel very fortunate to be an artist sharing my history and contributing to reconciliation efforts in Australia.
