Shirley Macnamara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirley Macnamara
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| Born | 1949 |
| Known for | Sculpture, Painting |
Shirley Anne Macnamara, born in 1949, is an amazing Indigenous artist from Australia. She belongs to the Indjilanji and Alyewarre language groups in North West Queensland. Shirley is famous for her unique sculptures made from woven spinifex grass.
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Growing Up and Learning
Shirley grew up on a cattle station near Camooweal, Queensland. This is a big farm where her family worked. She went to Camooweal State School for her early education.
Later, starting in 1989, Shirley attended art workshops with the Australian Flying Arts School. She first worked with watercolour paints. She also explored other art forms like mixed media, installations, and sculptures. Eventually, she discovered her passion for weaving. She started using local spinifex grass to create beautiful, natural shapes.
Her Unique Art
Shirley uses spinifex grass, which grows a lot in her people's traditional lands in northwest Queensland. Her woven artworks show the environment around her. They also tell stories about her family and ancestors. Her art connects the land with her personal history.
Exhibitions and Awards
Shirley Macnamara's art has been shown in many important places. She has also won special awards for her work.
Solo Art Shows
- 'Dyinala, Nganinya' at the Queensland Art Gallery (2019–2020)
- 'Layered Threads' at the University of Queensland Art Museum (2018)
- 'Maardi Butala' at Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne (2017)
Group Art Shows
- 15 Artists at Redcliffe Art Gallery (2019)
- 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (2012–2013)
Where Her Art Lives
Shirley's artworks are part of several important public collections. This means they are owned by museums and galleries for everyone to see. Some of these places include:
- Campbelltown Arts Centre
- National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
- Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville
- Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art
Special Awards
In 2017, Shirley won a big award called the Wandjuk Marika Memorial Three-Dimensional Award. She received this at the 34th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. This award celebrates amazing three-dimensional artworks by Indigenous artists.
