Kay Andonopoulos

About

Kay. A. (nee Fallon/Welch)
Wiradjuri Nation - Cowra Mob - Galari Clan
My family was part of the recognised stolen generation, so this means I didn’t grow up on country and like many others I didn’t learn my culture that way. My Father was a Wiradjuri Man who had spent many years on Erambie Mission (where language was outlawed) until he left Country to defend Australians during WWII.
Growing up with my parents and relatives in Sydney, some language/words were commonly spoken, though not growing up on Country meant a great deal of learning and culture remained sleeping. Art is an inherent part of my being and as I absorb the knowledge revealed from my culture I am irresistibly drawn to create work from a strong indigenous perspective.On my journey I have completed five years of formal study at Art School and I have been formally recognised as a practicing artist for the last 23 years. I specialise in drawing, design, printmaking and painting. My works are part of Government and Private Collections.
My artworks have been inspired through my ever-present, deep connection to country, articulating through visual form, the many languages of nature.
Mambuwarra (look), Wudhagarbinga (listen) and Yalbilinya (learn) - the language of Country varies greatly but the song remains the same. Any Wiradjuri patterns and mark-making in the work are contemporary. They are a variation of the original marks, which are linked to ceremony, and therefore cannot be copied.
Respect, acknowledgement and gratitude goes to Stan Grant Snr and Dr J Rudder who created the Wiradjuri Language dictionary, and Aunty Iris Reid providing the many words needed to enable me to speak my truth through parts of this series. Please note some words and phrases will still vary according to specific Wiradjuri Country. I am a proud Wiradjuri woman and this is one small platform to tell my story.
I am a qualified secondary school teacher, specialising in Visual Art.
The content of my art making is diverse and can be seen as a culmination of my culture, connection and life experience.