Revealed_Eddie Daylight

REV25-179

Birnoo Country

Eddie Daylight was born in Wyndham, Western Australia, and grew up in Warmun, within the Chinaman Garden community. His heritage is deeply tied to the Gija people, with his father, Gordon Barney, being a prominent Warmun artist and lawman, and his stepmother, Shirley Purdie, another well-known Warmun artist. Eddie's artistic journey is deeply intertwined with his family's legacy and the landscapes of his upbringing. Raised by his father's mother and stepfather, Eddie's early years were spent in the heart of the Kimberley region, surrounded by the cultural richness of his people. He attended school in Warmun, where his creative path first began to take shape. However, it wasn't until after he left school that he started working as a station hand at Violet Valley Station alongside his father, Gordon Barney. The physically demanding work of station life taught Eddie resilience, discipline, and an intimate understanding of the land that would later influence his artwork. Eddie's artistic inspiration came from an unexpected source. During his school years in Warmun, a visiting "white fella" teacher introduced the students to painting while sitting beneath the shade of a large white gum tree. The experience was pivotal for Eddie, sparking his interest in art and planting the seeds for his future as an artist. It was under this tree that Eddie first learned to see the world through an artist's eyes, understanding that everything around him "the land, the sky, the people" could be captured through the medium of paint. Eddie's creative process is deeply intuitive, driven by his emotional and spiritual connection to Country. He describes how his surroundings constantly inspire him to create, saying that when he looks at the world, his mind begins to form images of what he could paint. Often, his dreams fuel his creativity, guiding his hand to depict scenes and stories that resonate with his cultural heritage and personal experiences. The landscapes of the Kimberley, the rolling hills, the waterways, and the cultural sites are recurring themes in Eddie's work. His connection to his father's country and the traditions of his family, both artistic and cultural, influence his paintings. Eddie's work not only reflects the land of his ancestors but also the stories passed down through generations, preserving them for future audiences. As an emerging artist, Eddie Daylight carries forward the traditions and values of his family, blending them with his own unique vision. His artwork is an expression of his love for the land, the Gija people, and the stories that have shaped his identity. Through his work, Eddie ensures that the rich cultural heritage of the Warmun community continues to thrive, offering a window into the soul of the Kimberley and the life that has been lived there for generations.

Traditional Ochre on Canvas

60 X 90 X 3 cm 

Warmun Art Centre

Gija