ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Rita was raised on the Wooleybah sawmill in the Pilliga scrub, where she did live the most perfect childhood. Leaving for the city at sixteen, other distractions took precedent, living in Paddington wit a favourite aunt, working and partying, along the way came commitments, so it was some time later that her art became serious for her.
Rita decided she wanted a degree in fine art, and that’s when all those years of wagging school to go yabbying came back to bite her in the bum – so she signed up with Tranby Aboriginal College in Glebe, to get up to speed, following that with two years at EORA college in Chippendale, where she got a Diploma in Fine Art, and is honoured to be named as a student in their Hall of Fame.
Next step, was a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree at C.O.F.A. in Paddington, with high distinction, where she became a member of F.I.D.E.M. (The International Art Medal Federation), championed by Eileen Slarke. Rita has Medals on display in New York, Vienna and Paris.
Since leaving C.O.F.A. she has honed and fine tuned the wonderfully cavalier and single minded attitude of her youth by painting only what SHE wants to paint, she leans toward very bright, bold colouring utilising tribal symbols, (her totem is the turtle), and all of this is gloriously enhanced by dots of various sizes and bright colours.
She has collectors in the USA, England, France, Germany, Abu Dhabi and every state and territory in Australia.
Rita is a Gamilroi Woman, sometimes known as Kamilaroi, living in the Eora region.
All welcome to attend the official function this Tuesday 24th November at 6pm featuring live didge & dance by Gumeroy and friends.
