Meet Pakana Artist Dean Greeno in his Artist Profile Story

As a child navigating between two worlds, I experienced the ever-changing adaptation within both as one increased its technological, consumerist driven agendas and industrial processes, while the other proved that its existence was never in doubt by continuingly growing and educating through art and cultural practices.

Two World Struggle

It is this ‘two world ‘struggle that I have reflected upon within my arts practice as a whole.

Artists Through the Generations

My great grandmother, my grandmother and my mother and father are all artists and cultural practitioners who are now Elders and ancestors.

Art is like breathing, it is part of the four elements that make Aboriginal people wholistic and connected to country.

Creating Where Ever Possible

Unfortunately, as an artist with children and little income, my studio is sometimes the driveway in the rain, or a tent or a desk.

Ideally one day I’ll get a shearing shed or old mechanics or electricians garage and then I can really start to explore and express.

The Life Experiences That Inform Art

I am in my mid 50’s and have a world of experiences from having five kids, to being an aircraft maintenance engineer by trade, to being a structural landscape builder, to working on boats, saving my children and surviving the deadliest bushfire in Australia.

All of these things create mini evolutions and hiccups, and processing moments that add to the gravitas within our arts practice’s.

Experiences with Nature That Shape Art

I paddle in the early hours on the river and listen to it wake, I walk tracks, and I return to my country, especially touch sea country. That recharges me, and it was taught to me by my matriarchal lines.

About the Artist

The artworks make up a visual narrative presenting the various dynamic states of flux that occur when the ocean meets the land and the western science mindset meets the traditional knowledges of the first people’s lifeworld’s perspective.

I work to ensure that my artwork is always guided by aboriginal community expectations, which includes advice by Elders, observing aboriginal cultural artistic protocols and using resources and materials in the most efficient and respectful manors.

Sustainability, recycle, upcycle as well as working in bodies and committees to ensure a future healthy sea, land and sky country for my grandchildren.

Explore Dean’s website and his online gallery of work and sources of inspiration.