Kayleen Pauli
A Wangkumara descendant and a traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artist.
Kayleen’s art is about connection.
Kayleen is self-taught, using acrylic on canvas, painting vibrant and exotic portraits of reptiles, Australian wildlife and traditional Aboriginal stories and ceremonies. She speaks through her art combining aspects of traditional styling and applying modern touches to her prints using airbrushing, digital art and drawing.
Each one of her paintings tells a story and has a meaning. As an artist, she develops a deep relationship with each piece. For Kayleen, painting helps reinforce her identity and reflects her cultural connection to Country.
“Through my art, I feel like I'm able, to tell the truth. I paint about issues like the Stolen Generation, deforestation and how it harms the animals like the cockatoo. I’m giving people and animals who can’t speak a voice. I want people to have an awareness of those animals and our culture.”
Kayleen started painting as a way to heal. “Like so many Aboriginal people, we are reaching for the light, for the truth. And when we’re in dark places, art just comes out of us. I just started painting and used it as a way to work through my depression. When I’m not painting, I feel like I’m missing something.”
Kayleen’s inspiration comes from The Dreamtime and she shares messages of hope.
“My first painting was on a moving box. I did some dotting and went from there. I hope to inspire other people to create their own artwork, especially young Aboriginal people. I want them to get in touch with their culture and their story through their art. I encourage any Indigenous artist to start as soon as possible. Just start doing it however it comes out of you.”
Kayleen is a proud wife and mother and lives on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast.
For original artwork click here.
For prints click here.
Prizes & Exhibits
Solo exhibition Kayleen Pauli, 5 Nov 2020
Beerwah Vianta Art, Beerwah, Queensland
Here We Stand, 16 October 2020
Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Queensland
Hinterland Alive Art Exhibition, 12-15 Oct 2019
Beerwah Vianta Art, Beerwah, Queensland
Floating Land Festival, September-October 2019
Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Queensland
Maleny Obi Art Prize Finalist, 4 Oct 2019
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Hear My Voice, 22 July 2019
Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy, Queensland
Bush to Beach, 1 July 2019
Kenilworth Hall, Kenilworth, Queensland
