Robin Daykin Reardon Bates-Koroi

I was born in Broken Hill in 1974, my Dad is of Irish descent and my Mum is a Barkintji/Nyampaa women.  I was raised in Mildura with my Grandfathers sister, but travelled constantly back and forth between Mildura, Broken Hill, Menindee, Wilcannia and White Cliffs.

 My families land is Mutawintji National Park; it contains the best collection of Aboriginal rock art in New South Wales and was returned to my family in 1998. As a child I grew up visiting and camping on our lands. My family heritage has always been part of and influenced me in my art practice. As a young woman I was taught by my Uncle the traditional way of collecting the raw materials to make artefacts. When we were decorating the artefacts I had no idea that I was actually delving into the hybrid, mixing what I was taught from my Uncle with contemporary practices.

I have always wanted to be an artist, from High School and studied Aboriginal Arts in Broken Hill for 2 years.  I met my husband in 1995 then settled in a family life for the next 11 years. When my two boys reached 10 and 8 years old I started following my heart and dreams to have my own gallery someday.

In 2005 I enrolled into certificate 3 in Aboriginal arts, during the course I was introduced to Research; this has been a very exciting discovery, linking the use of traditional and contemporary art methodologies.

I have just completed a Bachelor Degree and am currently Studying Honours at LaTrobe University Mildura campus and then go on to ultimately complete a PhD in Visual Arts.

In My Blood

 

I was born in Broken Hill in 1974, my Dad is of Irish descent and my Mum is a Barkintji/Nyampaa women.  I was raised in Mildura with my Grandfathers sister, but travelled constantly back and forth between Mildura, Broken Hill, Menindee, Wilcannia and White Cliffs.

My family are the original custodians of Mutawintji National Park and surrounding areas in NSW, and contains a large collection of petroglyphs or more commonly known as “Aboriginal rock art” which was returned to us in 1998. As a child I grew up visiting and camping on our lands. My family heritage has always been part of and influenced me in my art practice. As a young woman I was taught by my Uncle the traditional way of collecting the raw materials to make artefacts. When we were decorating the artefacts I had no idea that I was actually delving into the hybrid, mixing what I was taught from my Uncle with contemporary practices.

“In My Blood” is my interpretation of my people’s rock carvings from long ago in turn reflecting my cultural heritage.

“GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS THAT I CANNOT CHANGE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN AND WISDON TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE”My heritage has always been an important part of my art practice. When etching artefacts I had no idea that I was actually delving into what would become my present hybrid work that employs drawing and engraving.“Stepping Stones” in Glass represents the layers that make up family through transparent materials that reflect the diaspora of my Family and cultural heritage.