Wyba - Glen Shaw

Wyba (Glenn Shaw) was born at Whitemark on Flinders Island in 1958 and has six sisters. His mother is Aboriginal and was born and raised on Cape Barren Island. His Father is non-Aboriginal. He lived on Flinders Island in his early years and spent a great deal of time in the bush getting to understand his Aboriginal heritage and culture. Along with bush tucker, he was often found collecting berries to eat, or catching a feed of shellfish such as limpets, periwinkles and occasionally abalone. He also took part in mutton-birding as a youngster when his family went along with other members of the Aboriginal community in Flinders Island. His family moved to the mainland of Tasmania and he completed his formal schooling in Launceston. He is self taught and expresses his Aboriginality by telling stories he has learnt through his childhood. He also uses some traditional styles to tell his stories in a contemporary manner. His art was recognised by his community when he received the award for Tasmanian Artist of the Year in the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Awards in 1990.