THE totem of the blue wren has been handed down through many generations of the Farmer family, and is a symbol now shared through paint and canvas by Peter Farmer.
He brings the chirigger to life “in a blue you cannot stop looking at”, often depicted against a bluer background.
Working with acrylics “for the vibrant colours”, Farmer considers his subject a natural result of his genes.
The totem conveys characteristics believed to match those of his family line, including hard work, tenacity and determination.
“It is an extension of me and like stepping back into my childhood, how I would walk through the bush with my father learning about all the animals and hunting when I was young,” he said.
“I have done traditional Aboriginal paintings, but through painting the chirigger I connect to my country and it all comes straight back to me.”
Although now living in Eden Hill, Farmer maintains close ties to the land where he was raised in Gnowangerup. He returns at least once a fortnight to refresh his spirit, and draw inspiration anew for his paintings. Farmer’s commitment to art does not stop at the canvas, with his efforts to promote and share indigenous culture recognised with a recent NAIDOC award. He described his first major solo exhibition, opened recently, as an accomplishment and challenge. “After a group exhibition and minor solo, this has been a long time coming, but it is great to be able to do the blue wren and means a lot to me,” Farmer said.
Farmer exhibits until March 7 at Goddard de Fiddes Gallery, 31 Malcolm Street, West Perth.