Michelle Morton

Born in Dirranbandi, s/w Old, 1972. I am a Kamilaroi women, currently residing in Texas, Old, where I collect the ‘Stringy Bark’, I recently started to use in my latest pieces, Beaded Wall Hangers. The bark is used for the frames around each piece. My designs depict the Dinnawan (emu) way of life from our part of the country. My work is also inspired by my cousin Peter Over’s Dinnawan Masterpieces.

I have lived, studied and worked in QLD, NSW, NT and South Australia. My passion for beading and jewellery making, along with photography, began in 1990, where I studied Art and B&W/Darkroom photography, at Toundi College in Port Adelaide, SA. For the past 15 years I have been designing, making and selling beaded jewellery all over Australia to Galleries and at Aboriginal Cultural Events.

I am also a Freelance Photographer. I completed my Diploma in Freelance Photography, through the Australian College of Journalism, and have had several pieces published in the Koori mail and other indigenous publications. In 1997 I took part in a photographic workshop. With several of my photographs exhibited in Alice Springs and the DARE festival in Brisbane, as well as published.