PALAWA MAN (2017)

https://taspp.com.au/portfolio/kirsty-flint/ 

Artist Statement:

In this portrait, Kirsty employed an intimate and tactile approach, working directly with her hands to apply Rembrandt soft chalk pastel in shaping the sitter’s face and background. Subtle layers of acrylic paint were added to the tie, while blended pastel created nuanced areas of light and shadow. An Aboriginal-inspired background was incorporated to honour and connect with the sitter’s cultural heritage.

The subject, David, is a proud Tasmanian Palawa man from Flinders Island. At fifteen, he left his family and community to pursue further education, experiencing deep homesickness and culture shock as he adapted to life away from his cultural roots. Today, David is a senior associate commercial lawyer at Worrall Lawyers and an accomplished ultrarunner, holding four national records. His story speaks to resilience and achievement, embodying both the continuity and adaptability of Aboriginal culture in the contemporary world.

Palawa Man was exhibited as a finalist in the 2017 Tasmanian Portraiture Prize, touring the Long Gallery (Salamanca), Sawtooth Gallery (Launceston), and Devonport Regional Gallery. In 2018, the work was also showcased at the Derwent Valley Autumn Festival. Most recently, in 2023, it was exhibited as part of the Islander Portrait Prize on Flinders Island, continuing to gain recognition and spark discussion.