Moffat Beach’s Zartisha Davis is making waves as a Kabi Kabi artist, recently earning a spot as a finalist in the 2024 Sunshine Coast National Art Prize at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.
Ms Davis’ acrylic on canvas piece, titled “Mooloolah Midden” is an ode to her bloodline – the Mooloolaba Chilly Family.
“I have always felt a strong connection to the river, my great great grandmother, Susan Andi, was born on the river, and the area makes me feel close to my Mum and my Uncle Lyndon and our whole family,” Ms Davis said.
“Uncle Lyndon especially has kept our culture alive on the Sunshine Coast for the last 30 years and growing up and watching him and my Mum paint was a huge inspiration.”
Ms Davis was taught Aboriginal art by her Uncle Lyndon at around six years of age, but didn’t pick it up seriously until she was 21.
“I am 34 now and I am really just coming into my life as an artist,” she said.
“I have become known for my shell midden pieces and I have had some collaborations and commissions to design a mural at the Caloundra Netball Courts and the design for the Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Uniform.”
Ms Davis was a recent finalist in the Macquarie National Contemporary Art Prize and will soon be part of an exhibition at Caloundra’s experimental art venue Lantana Space.
