2020 NAIDOC Poster Winner – Tyrown Waigana

NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and young artist Tyrown Waigana has begun this year’s celebration through his award winning painting, Shape of Land.

The 23 year old Noongar and Saibai Islander from Perth was one of 270 artists to enter the NAIDOC 2020 Poster competition.

‘I didn’t think I was going to win because there are so many talented artists that enter,’ Tyrown said.

‘I have entered a couple times in the past with no success. When I got the phone call, I was about to take a midday nap because work was slow.’

His winning entry depicts the Rainbow Serpent coming out of the Dreamtime to create the Australian landmass and how Indigenous Australians are strongly connected to it.

Of course, Tyrown’s vision and creativity didn’t begin with him.

‘The person who inspired me to become an artist was my Pop Paul,’ Tyrown said.

‘He was always making and selling paintings. He was also a very creative person and you could tell that he wasn’t just doing it because of the cultural aspect, but he had a real passion for art.’

Tyrown said he loves different styles of art including cartoons and enjoys neo-expressionism, figurative and Indigenous art.

Simply complex designs inspire him and he loves it when reality is blurred. His favourite piece is Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights.

‘I do illustrations, painting, sculpture, animation and graphic design. I want to get into writing / directing and storytelling to further extend my creative practice,’ Tyrown said.

Not short on energy, Tyrown takes every opportunity that interests him.

‘I am constantly pursuing a full time creative career working as a graphic designer,’ he said.

‘I make comic books, picture books, paintings and sculptures.  I am active in other art competitions and I try to get into market stalls.’

To achieve his long-term goal of becoming one of the greatest creatives this country has ever produced, Tyrown has set some short-term goals.

‘I want to become a full-time artist, get more exposure for my creative practice, get in more exhibitions, get gallery representation, write and direct a short film, create an animated web series, get my comic and picture book published,’ he said.

And then with all that knowledge and skill behind him, Tyrown said he wants to help others achieve their dreams, just like his mentor, photographer Donna Swan, helped him.

‘She showed me there was a living and an industry for creative people; it wasn’t just a pipe dream. It wasn’t just for fancy people in faraway lands,’ Tyrown said.

Recognising where you come from and to whom you owe a debt of gratitude is essential in becoming successful.

Tyrown knows that, and will always be grateful to Donna, to Pop Paul, to his family and close friends and of course, his mum and dad.