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.

Image shows a background of a coastal artwork with a text box reading Artist Profile Navigating Two Worlds Through Evolving Art with Pakana Artist Dean Green Art Trails Tasmania

The Constant Call of Flinders Island

I was was born on Flinders Island in 1967. Although I moved to live in Launceston in 1972 I continued to return to the Island each year, to go fishing with my father and grandfather whilst gaining a clear understanding of boat skills and firsthand knowledge about life at sea.

My inspiration for my art work is drawn from my connection to country at my place of birth, the island sea life working with my father on his cray boat as well as the ship repairs and trades skills which included my time as a trainee gardener/maintenance at the local school put together experiences and my Aboriginal Heritage all combine to show my interest in traditional Tasmanian aboriginal bark canoes.

Image of Island Life painting by Dean Greeno in his Artist Profile story with Art Trails Tasmania

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.

 

Image of Sitting Man Driftwood sculpture by Dean Greeno in his Artist Profile Story with Art Trails Tasmania
Image of a Pakana canoe in Dean Greeno's Artist Profile Story with Art Trails Tasmania
Image of a driftwood sculpture of a Pakana hand by Dean Greeno in his Artist Profile Story with Art Trails Tasmania

Working Across Mediums

Sculpture is my main go to, drawing, glassworks, ceramics, 2D and 3D graphics works as well as film, doco and sound scapes.

Cultural and Creative Workshops With Meaning

I mostly do canoe and clap stick workshops for community and youth, I am happy to facilitate private workshops and mentorships, there is a lot of relationship and trust that goes into being an artist who shares their raw self.

So I tend to be very strategic about these events. But love seeing others find new artistic breath.

Image of cultural inspiration of Flinders Island Pakana artist Dean Greeno in his Artist Profile Story with Art Trails Tasmania

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.

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Creative Small Business Lessons Learnt

Find smaller regular markets that support your larger endeavours, always have a crack at public commissions as they are worth the time.

Never die wondering, I have done nearly everything I have every wanted to try, careers are not for artists.

How to Walk a Creative Journey and Grow

1. Reading and travelling with mindfulness and open minds.

2. Tertiary studies are elemental in supporting skills and knowledges and help give the foundation of your practice its strength and is a safe space to explore before stepping off the pontoon.

3. Enjoy the moment and listen to the stories of the others who are present.

Finding Deeper Meaning in Art

We speak for those who cannot, we give voice and agency to the ones who need it most, we peel a piece of ourselves off within each work before we hand it over to someone who loves it more.

Image shows Dean Greeno in front of his work

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. 

Dean Greeno with his driftwood sculpture

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