About Me
I am a Wiradjuri environmental artist who responds creatively within a First Nations cultural context, focusing on Wiradjuri traditions, community and Country. I am drawn to creating contemporary fibre artworks that represent a continuum of Wiradjuri cultural artefacts, Country, language and respect ‘Yindayamarra’[1] for Mother Earth. I use recycled data and electrical cables and natural grasses, transforming these mediums into sculptural forms that juxtapose modern and traditional weaving techniques.
My research project incorporates studio-based research practices and decolonising methodologies, privileging Wiradjuri Indigenous voices within the lens of Indigenous and Western archives. My making of contemporary artefacts acknowledges the continuum of Wiradjuri cultural practices signifying the resilience, strength and survival of our people. By employing decolonising research methodologies, I honour Wiradjuri voices and experiences that contribute to our ways of knowing, being, and doing. Through my learning, knowledge of the past will be passed on for current and future custodians.
I was born and have recently relocated back to the town of Parkes in NSW on Wiradjuri Country and was blessed with a wonderful childhood. I was raised with strong family values and connections but unfortunately, I grew up without the knowledge of my ancestral Wiradjuri heritage and culture that exists but was not spoken about.
As I continue my journey of who I was when I grew up and who I am now, I realise that I have always had a very strong connection to Country and the environment and I’m finding that the more knowledge and understanding I receive the more my identity is strengthened.[2] Learning the true stories of Australians History from First Nations teachers was not included in the Australian Education curriculum when I went to school but thankfully this practice is finally becoming a reality.
Footnotes
[1] Yindyamarra is Wiradjuri word meaning respect, be gentle, polite, honour, do slowly, from
A New Wiradjuri Dictionary, English to Wiradjuri, Wiradjuri to English, by Stan Grant (Senr) and Dr John Rudder (Wagga Wagga: Restoration House, 2010), 485.
[2] Later in life, I commenced academic studies at Griffith University Queensland College of Art (QCA) and completed the Bachelor of Fine Arts and started my research whilst studying the Master of Fine Arts. During this period, I was ready to study and embrace my Wiradjuri heritage and was privileged to learn the true Australian Indigenous history from Australian First Nations lecturers at the Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (CAIA) at QCA.
RONDA SHARPE | Artist Curriculum Vitae
emailronda@gmail.com, Webpage http://www.rondasart.com
Education
Master of Fine Arts Arts studying Contemporary Australia Indigenous Art (CAIA), The Queensland College of Arts (QCA), Griffith University, Brisbane. 2019-2020
Bachelor of Fine Arts: The Queensland College of Arts (QCA), Griffith University, Brisbane - 2017-2018
Associate Diploma of Creative Industries- James Cook University, Cairns - 2014-2016
Diploma Children’s Services: TAFE NSW Accredited - distinction level - 2004-2007
Solo exhibitions
2019 ‘Interconnection’ One Space Coonabarabran, exhibition and conducted recycled weaving workshops.
2019 & 2016 Artist in residence and showcase program, City of Gold Coast Council, City Libraries, 11th Ave Creative Palm Beach and Helensvale library.
Group exhibitions selected works and workshops
2021 Gunhigal Nguambang Wiradyuri Mayiny (Plains Country Wiradyuri people) 2021
Home program 2021, Bathurst Regional Gallery,
2021 Waste to Arts, Parkes Library and Cultural Centre, Netwaste community competition and exhibition
2020 Arts Revival Exhibition, for Parkes Art Revival Festival to showcase local artists in Parkes.
2019 South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camp Exhibition, Home of the Arts, HOTA,
An Outdoor Exhibition of Contemporary Indigenous Art Participating in Artist Camp.
2019 Morphosis Queensland College of Arts, (QCA) Griffith University, S03 gallery, exhibition showcases selected works from graduating students across all disciplines.
2019 On the Wing Exhibition, Lorraine Pilgrim Gallery for Gold Coast Indigenous Art Collective.
2019 Kalari-Lachlan River Arts Festival Inc presents ‘Flow Gallery, Forbes NSW.
2018 Graduation exhibition Queensland College of Arts, (QCA) Griffith University, S03 gallery, exhibition showcases selected works from graduating students across all disciplines.
2018 Churchie National Emerging art prize, dedicated to innovation and excellence across contemporary, traditional, and new media genres.
2018 SWELL, Embryo, collaborative project outdoor sculpture exhibition, Currumbin Beach Gold Coast
2018 Sculptor’s Society Gold Coast Incorporated, Totems, Masks & Upcycled Exhibition, Ashmore.
2018 Gold Coast City Library’s Annual Artist Showcase 2017 Exhibition, ‘The Tree of life and seasons, Robina Art Gallery, theme for exhibition was Seasons
2017 Machinery St Gallery exhibition, Queensland College of Arts, (QCA) Griffith University, public art exhibition presents selected artwork from three students enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine Art program at the South Bank campus, working in Interdisciplinary Drawing and Sculpture.
2017 Word of Mouth Collective Exhibition, Jugglers Gallery Fortitude Valley, presents seven undergraduates from Griffith University at the Queensland College of Art.
Professional Development programs.
Current: Wiradjuri Ngurambang Exhibition as a Wiradjuri curatorial member for permanent display at the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre showcasing Wiradjuri artefacts, language, artwork, and digital form.
2019 South Stradbroke Island Indigenous Artist Camp, professional development processes for emerging Indigenous artists, Coast City Council artist, Gordon Hookey, Rick Roser, Bianca Beetson and Laurie Nilson.
2019 Artist in Residence / Jan, Feb, Art studio public visits, Recycled fibre workshops children and adults, City of Gold Coast Council, City Libraries, 11th Creative Palm Beach.
2018 Intertwine, collaborative indigenous community workshop conducted by Grace Lillian Lee exploring identity and culture and creating creative fashion items for the Gold Coast Festive 2018, Intertwine Fashion Parade.
2018 Professional Development, Cultural leaderships and printmaking, Black Square Arts conducted by Laurie Nona and Dian Darmansjah and hosted by the Gold Coast Council
Facilitated Workshops Hosted by Ronda Sharpe
2021 Home Program 2021, Bathurst Regional Gallery, Artist lead virtual workshops & material packs to participating schools. inspired by the form of a Dilly Bag (Narbong in Wiradjuri) linking Aboriginal art, language, & culture.
2021 Waste to Arts, hosted weaving and recycled art workshops at Parkes Library and Cultural Centre
2019 NAIDOC Week weaving workshop Griffith university College of Arts
2019 Recycled art workshops during Artist in residence and showcase program Gold Coast City Libraries.
2018 NAIDOC HOTA Dancing in the Green weaving workshop and promoting Intertwine collection.
2018 Recycling Art with Ronda, paper flower workshop - Green it up Week, City of Gold City Libraries, Helensvale, library, echo friendly workshop using repurposed recycled discarded books from library.
2017 Upcycling with Ronda (Children’s Workshops): City of Gold Coast Council, City Libraries, Helensvale library and Palm Beach Creative Hub. Workshop aimed at turning repurposed recycled materials into art.