Connie Rovina

Lives/Works: Cairns
Clan/Language: KukuThaypan and Widi / Awa Alaya

Biography

I am of KuKuThaypan (Cape York), and Widi/Birriah (Central Queensland), ancestral heritage. My artwork is inspired by several factors. First is my upbringing within my Aboriginal family, which includes sibling artists and arts manufacturers, the traditional outback lands of our grandmother from Musgrave Station and the Laura district, representing the KuKuThaypan people (Cape York), as well as the Bowen Basin district, which represents the Birriah and Widi people (Central Queensland) of my grandfather. Second, I draw inspiration from the brilliance of Far North Queensland’s outback, rainforests, and seas.
I come from a well-known family of artists who live and breathe our artwork. I use traditional ochre tones and a variety of colours inspired by inland bush to sea themes, reflecting life as Aboriginal people. My artwork mainly depicts animal figures and stories, following the teachings of my family and grandparents. I learned to paint around the age of six on boomerangs, motivated by my uncle, who was inspired by his father (my grandfather from my mother’s side).
I began painting professionally for Queensland Aboriginal Creations in Brisbane in 1981. I also exhibited and worked at the Indigenous Pavilion at Expo 88 and have continued to produce original paintings since then. I have exhibited worldwide since 1988, in countries including Russia, Holland, France, Singapore, and Australia, in several combined exhibitions. I have sold works to notable individuals, including the Princess of Jordan (approximately in 1995). Throughout my art career, I have participated in over 100 exhibitions locally, interstate, and overseas. Many major pieces of my work are held in private homes and businesses around the world. I have produced traditional artifacts, limited edition prints, fabric designs, souvenir items, and merchandise products. Additionally, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Studies.