Deanna Ganyu –
Born 1969,
“The Spirit of our
Ancestors” pastel, collage on
paper 54 CM X 74 CM
Occupation:
Artist and Primary Arts Teacher
Education:
2002 Certificate in Business Management, Kangan Batman Tafe
1997 Bachelor of Teaching (Hons.): The
1991 Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts Hons.):
Media:
Pastel on paper, acrylic on canvas, batik, fabric ink on cloth
Experiences related
to art:
2000-2001 Board
Member: Multicultural Arts
Arts Teacher (primary/secondary)
Arts Co-ordinator: Community art projects cross-cultural
arts consultant:
Honours and awards:
1996 Manuel Gelman Award for Teaching Excellence: The
Solo Exhibitions:
1992 ‘She is the tree of life’ series: WHISE, Frankston (Victoria)
Group Exhibitions:
Numerous painting, textile and works on paper exhibitions, including;
2004 ‘Origins and
Scatterings’ Span Gallery,
2002 ‘Lost and Found’ Touring exhibition for AMEF
1999 ‘Regroup’: Footscray Community Arts Centre, Footscray
1997 ‘African
Traditional Craft Project’: Meat Market Craft Centre,
1996 ‘African
Communities Cultural Festival’:
1994 ‘Racism/Sexism: intersection of issues of race, culture and gender’: Chinese
Cultural
Centre,
1994 ‘Changing
Reality, Changing Perception’: Heritage Arts Complex,
1994
‘The Overseas League’
1994 ‘Images of Women’ – Opening of Women’s Health in the South East in Frankston
Important
collections:
Women’s Health in the South East
Multicultural Education Foundation (
Collected privately.
Artists’ Statement:
The ‘Spirit of our Ancestors’ is part of a series of works exploring my African and Australian origins.
Integrating text and image is part of the quest to develop personal history derived from the ancestoral spirit (collective memories). The text explores Australian poetry – the images represent African symbols. The colour explodes to unite the common and disparate elements.
My migration involves the journey to represent self, family and community. Is home part of the fabric where we live or the spirit of our ancestors?