Silo artist mentorship brings new art for soundshell

Published on 06 May 2022

Gunditjmara and Wotjobaluk artist Tanisha Lovett will be painting a new artwork at the soundshell this May as part of the new silo art project, Yangga Dyata - Walking on Country.

Mural artist SMUG, aka Sam Bates, will mentor Tanisha who will be undertaking her first large outdoor painting.

Prior to beginning work, Tanisha will also sit down with Wotjobaluk Elder Jennifer Beer who will talk her through the story of the Yangga Dyata project and the story of Wotjobaluk warrior Yanggendyinanyuk (Yang-gen-jin-a-nyook), which means his walking feet in Wergaia language.

The artwork will be painted along the strip at the bottom of the soundshell and will reflect the story of Yanggendyinanyuk.

Tanisha is excited to have the opportunity to work with SMUG on the project.

“I am looking forward to working alongside someone who works at large scale,” she said.

Tanisha also reflects upon the importance of linking the new silo art and soundshell art with a proposed walk between the two sites during Reconciliation Week.

“It is significant for all the community, walking on Country and walking the story.”

Many in the community will be familiar with seeing Tanisha’s artwork around Horsham. It is visible at Coles supermarket, and also on a new NBN Art Box out the front of Woolworths, which she created alongside her three sisters, Kelanee Lovett, Jaala Marks-Lovett and Kira Marks-Lovett.

Through her art business Merindah Koori Art, Tanisha’s work is also about to be featured at the Horsham Courthouse with a new commission seeing her work printed as a centre piece for the Koori Court table.

Tanisha will meet with SMUG in late April and will start the painting of the soundshell in May.