Wyba - Glen Shaw

This painting tells a story from my childhood. As a young person living on Flinders Island my family would go and collect Yolla (muttonbirds), Yolla Eggs and Kunnegong (Pigface) on an annual basis. We would as a family go and collect the Yolla eggs and Kunnegong flowers (for the sweet nectar in the flowers and leaves for its medicinal use) and again in March for the Yolla chicks. Glenn Shaw (WYBA) was born on Flinders Island in Bass Strait, Tasmania in 1958. Wyba is from the Pintairerrer/Trawlwoolway people from the North East of Tasmania. Wyba has been painting since his late teens, and was awarded Aboriginal Artist of the Year for Tasmania in 1991, his Art reflects the surroundings and places where he grew up and lived in Tasmania. Wyba uses traditional styles in a contemporary manner which creates a style that is unique in Tasmanian Aboriginal artists. Wyba now happily resides in Broome Western Australia. The environment and colourful flavours of the Kimberley’s have found a place in his paintings. The reborn colour and vigour in his art still have the same themes and stories he grew up with.