Arone Meeks

C 1957

Arone produces paintings, sculpture and prints that express a passion for country, spirituality, sexuality and politics.

His path is one that redefines his connections through art mediums. The spiritual is actualised through art and his response is one of ‘working it through’ an intuitive process. Arone is able to express a unique spiritual response to country that has a harmony in connecting disparate worlds.

His subjects are sourced in nature and represent a cultural responsibility with an expression of contemporary art.

Arone’s indigenous links are with the Kokomidiji of Cape York, around Laura, the site of renowned rock art galleries filled with graceful drawings of quinkans. Laura is known as a place of Aboriginal magic and sorcery; it is also the location for the biannual Angnarra Aboriginal Dance Festival.

Walking through this country has a palpable effect on Arone. He feels a physical reaction to sacred country that helps forge relationships with kinship, a sense of self and ‘renewing the dreaming’.

Arone’s art is not governed by the same barriers and protocols that govern traditional Aboriginal art, but is placed in the context of the contemporary urban.

  

 

New Mono Prints 77 x 57cm 'Cross Currents' Story

                  

New Mono Prints 118 x 80   Cross Currents' Story

                      

Etchings Freshwater Country - Mangroves - Saltwater Place

                                       

“Freshwater Country”
A series of three etchings, Created in Cairns at Editions Tremblay by Arone Meeks 2009
The story behind this work was to link the etchings and show the connection between freshwater and its journey towards the sea. They also tell/talk of a passage of time and a connection to ‘Country’.
To the left, in “Freshwater Country”, the elongated ochre figure represents the bush and spirits in ‘Country’, its overall shape is that of a gumtree growing out of the earth. I am traditionally from Laura and feel that I always draw inspiration from this area and am reconnecting with my country. The blue figure notes the life that freshwater gives us each season, behind the figure, is a fertile shape/waterhole. Every 2nd year Laura hosts the Dance Festival. I felt it important to portray this event depicting a fluid dancing figure with a leaf headdress. It also portrays the strength, growth and participation and inclusion of our sharing with the many other tribal groups, reinforcing how tradition is being kept alive and passed on.

“Mangroves”
In “Mangroves” we continue the journey of the wet season as the rains flush out the creeks and rivers to create a rich alluvium that washes into the mangroves and then the sea. The mangroves are vitally important to many infant/growing species that live there; as this is the rich nursery nurturing and protecting vast forms of sea life, until each creature is able to fend for itself.  Aboriginal people have always relied on the mangroves as a food source. When I was growing up I lived with family on the edge of the mangroves, we were never hungry being there. But the mangroves also were a place of important stories and sorcery with rules which were important to be followed. The blue figure is that of a mangrove spirit,  it has a small dillybag around its neck and possesses both male and female characteristics. When you are in the mangroves you can hear this spirit by its clicking sound, as it lures/talks. To the right is the mangrove with its protective root structure. The central image is that of a woven cane trap. Though the main purpose of this is to trap fish/ crabs etc, it also signifies the womb in which life grows. We are still following the path of the first rain.     

“Saltwater Place”
In “Saltwater Place”, the boat becomes a metaphor for a vehicle with which to travel back to the dreaming. Within this canoe is an auto portrait, singing up ‘Country’ and story on a tidal swell.  Catching his breath the figure then uses the tide to navigate, using the stars to find his way. Contained within the canoe is an egg. The blue figure towards the front of the canoe depicts all the people past and present who have been a guiding force in my life. To the back of the canoe is a figure which carries dillybags and sports a feathered headdress, within the internal design of which is depicted both male and female images/designs.

 

 

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