Allery Sandy facts for kids

Allery Sandy is an artist from a place called Roebourne in Western Australia. This area is known as the Pilbara region. She is also a respected elder of the Yindjibarndi people.

Early Life and Community Work

Allery Sandy was born in Roebourne. She was the fourth of eleven children. Her first job was at a second-hand clothes shop. Later, she helped run a playgroup for children who needed support.

In 1986, Allery started working at Roebourne Pre-primary School. She helped Aboriginal and Islander students. From 1990, she taught the Yindjibarndi language. This was part of a program for Languages Other Than English (LOTE). In 2001, Allery left the school. She then became involved in community activities. These included cooking, sewing, and helping with the local Aboriginal Church.

Becoming an Artist

Allery Sandy started painting in February 2006. A teacher named Patricia Floyd encouraged her. Patricia was giving art lessons at the Pilbara Aboriginal Church. Allery took courses in painting and design. In 2007, she finished her first painting. It showed a view from above, like looking down from a plane.

Allery's art gained national attention. In 2012, she was a finalist in the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Her painting was called Country in Spring. Two years later, she won a top award. This was in the WA Indigenous section of the Cossack Art Awards.

Allery was also featured in a documentary called Marni. This show aired on NITV in 2020. The title Marni means "marking" in the Yindjibarndi language. The film showed Allery creating a dot-work painting. It featured the beautiful Roebourne region.

Family and Other Roles

Allery Sandy has three children. She has two daughters and one son.

In 2006, Allery became the chairperson of Yinjaa-Barni Art. This is an art center for Indigenous artists. In 2014, she helped with a play called "Hipbone Sticking Out". She performed in it and also advised on the Yindjibarndi language and culture.