Ian Abdulla facts for kids

Ian Abdulla (1947–2011) was a famous Aboriginal Australian artist. He was a Ngarrindjeri man. Ian grew up near the Murray River in South Australia. Many people called him Australia's greatest naïve artist. This means his art looked simple but was very powerful.

Growing Up in Australia

Ian Abdulla was born in 1947. His birthplace was Swan Reach, South Australia. This town is on the Murray River. It is in the Murraylands area of South Australia.

Ian's art often showed the places and activities he knew. He painted scenes from his childhood. His paintings always told a strong story.

His Artistic Journey

In 1988, Ian Abdulla learned printmaking. He took a workshop in Glossop, South Australia. The next year, he started painting.

Ian quickly became a recognized artist. In 1991, he was named the South Australian Aboriginal Artist of the Year. The Australia Council gave him a special award in 1992. This was called a Fellowship.

Ian also wrote books for children. His book, As I Grew Older, won an award in 1994. It was the Australian Multicultural Children's Literature Award. Another book, Tucker, was also very popular. It was nominated for a Children's Book Council award in 1995.

Ian's artwork was seen around the world. One of his pieces was on the cover of a World Health Organization report. His paintings are in major art galleries. You can see them at the Art Gallery of South Australia. They are also at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Ian Abdulla's Unique Style

Ian Abdulla's paintings are easy to spot. He often put text and images together. The text was his own handwriting. It described what was happening in the painting. He usually placed these words at the top of his artworks. This made his paintings very special and personal.

Notable Artworks

• Swimming before school (1995)
• Pelicans at Katarapko (1994)

His Final Years

Ian Abdulla passed away on January 29, 2011. He was 63 years old. He died at the hospital in Berri, South Australia. His family was with him.