Karen Reys & Susan Reys

ARTIST STATEMENT – KAREN & SUSAN REYS

AN EXPLORATION OF CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL IDENTITY ON COUNTRY

“There is a difference between a ‘good’ person and being a good Ancestor. A good Ancestor carries a responsibility, not just of the living but to think deeply what legacy will be left in that ‘living.’” – Allison Whittaker, Gomeroi Woman

The artists’ work celebrates their cultural identity and challenges a history that has rendered Aboriginal people absent (Slater, 2014, pp. 359).

The artists’ practice sees an exploration of their cultural and spiritual identity. In the collaborative exhibition titled ‘Sacred’ the sisters Karen and Susan Reys, as fifth generations removed from their family’s ancestral land, examine their spiritual connection to this land.

The sculpture ‘Coming Full Circle’ is the centre-piece in this exhibition. The sisters tune in with guidance and follow no matter what they do to fulfil their souls life purpose. The Aboriginal spiritual practice that is listening deeply to self, others and the environment, over a twenty-year art practice, has helped the sisters to establish a true sense of place and belonging. Moving through each of the challenges presented to a place of inner healing and wholeness.

“We need to think globally, while acting locally. And when we have taken the responsibility for our own healing, we can then heal our kids. Only when we have healed ourselves, can we hope to heal the planet. We must embrace the ‘Law of One’, which states that when everything is in true frequency, then all is in peace and harmony.” – Alexander King

The artworks in the exhibition share the story of Karen and Susan’s connection to the Songlines that is their birth rite on Country. The contemporary stories come from their lived experiences that intertwine and connect them back to the Dreaming. The dreams, visions, epiphanies and spiritual awakenings told in the landscape trace the lives of family and histories over the generations. The three stories central to the exhibition are the Dreaming of ‘Three Sisters’, ‘Mother’s Love’, and ‘Little Bird’ about a lost soul that didn’t know how to fly. The title of art works in the exhibition are songs by Enya, Boy Zone and Uncle Bob Randall. For the artists, the lyrics carry sacred messages that over time has helped them to connect spiritually and to find their way back home.

The journey of the ‘Three Sisters’ continues to still unfold today. They are beginning to document their stories for the preservation of their culture and for future generations.

The work presented sees a continuation of Karen’s solo exhibition held at the Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, Perth, in 2004. The exhibition titled ‘Where is my Place of Belonging’ inevitably examined the tensions that existed over land claims as a response to the official handback of Country by the Queensland Government to the descendant of Darrba warra, in 2002. The artists books ‘Aboriginal Culture 1788-2002, Tradition, Culture and Values’ (2004) is a personal record of Australian history documented through the hand creased grid lines and hand torn circles that increase and decrease in size depending on the impact of the Australian Government act and policies on the lives of Aboriginal people. Lastly the sculpture ‘Smooth the Pillow of a Dying Race’ (1995) and its photographic series that documents the physical presence of the filing cabinet on Country north of Hope Vale (2016). Though the filing cabinet may appear foreign in the landscape, its connection to place is embedded both traditionally and historically.

Karen’s involvement and research into the social realities of land claims as a descendant of the traditional owners of Darrba warra has helped her to find her place and position in society as an Aboriginal woman. The exploration has enabled her to contemplate the past, present and future with a sense of hope and anticipation.

Marks, K. (2008). ‘The Great White Queen of the Never-Never.’ Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/the-great-white-qu…

Reed, P. (1999). ‘A Rape of the Soul so Profound.’ https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003137313/rape-sou…

Slater, L. (2004). ‘Calling our Spirits Home’: Indigenous cultural festivals and the making of a good life.’ Retrieved from https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2804&context=lhapapers

Artist Profile

Artist Name:    Susan Duliny Reys
Clan:         Dharrpa Warra
Cultural Group:    Guugu Yimithirr
Region:        Starcke River
Language:     Yimithirr
Based:         Cairns, Queensland

Brief Biography
Susan was born and raised in Cairns with her parents Diana (nee Barnes) and Stephen Stanley Reys who was a member of the Jirrbal cultural group. On her mother’s side through her grandmother Eva Sweetland Coates, Susan is a descendant of the Butchulla people (aka Badtjala) who were forcibly removed from K’gari (Fraser Island) to Yarrabah in 1904, and her grandfather Charles Sweetland Coates was a Guugu Yimithirr man from the Dharrpa Warra clan around the Morgan River. Her Aboriginal name given to her is Duliny which means Owl.  Susan’s totems are the Waandaar (White Cockatoo) and Dolphin. She is privileged to know her family history and bloodline and to continue her people’s ancient tradition of painting and storytelling from her home studio where she works with stoneware glazes, textile designs and canvas paintings. Her works are inspired by various symbols found on rock art and carved trees within her country, and the marks made in the sand during traditional story telling that continue to be practiced in the living culture. Susan has been exhibiting since 2000 and currently operates the successful retail business ‘K’gari 3 Sisters’. 

Exhibitions:
2020       ‘Lore to Law’ Group exhibition, Cairns Court House, Cairns QLD. 
Duliny the Artist, Solo exhibition UMI Arts, Cairns, QLD  
MELTING POT National Ceramics Exhibition, Cairns Art Gallery, Cairns, QLD.
Independent Artist exhibition, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, QLD. 
               ‘Fresh Water Salt Water’ group exhibition, UMI Arts, Cairns, QLD 
2018       Independent Artists Exhibition, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, QLD.
2015       Independent Artists Exhibition, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, QLD.
2007    Armadale NAIDOC Art exhibition, Perth, WA.
2006    First Prize Indigenous Visual Art Award – Daffodil Day Appeal, Cancer Council, Melbourne, VIC.
2006    ‘Visions’ group exhibition, Kangan Institute TAFE, VIC.
2005    ‘Black’ group exhibition, Kangan Institute TAFE, VIC.
2004    ‘White Owl Dreaming’ solo exhibition, Koori Heritage Trust, Melbourne, VIC.
             ‘Yorgas’ group exhibition, Kangan Institute TAFE, Victoria.
2002    Solo exhibition Koori Heritage Trust, Melbourne, VIC.
              Pit Space Gallery, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, VIC.
                  Fashion Parade, Northland Secondary College, Preston, VIC.
                Fashion Parade, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum, Carlton, VIC.
                Ngarara Willim (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander unit), RMIT University, Melbourne Campus. 
                NAIDOC Week exhibition, Australian Federal Police headquarters, Melbourne, VIC.
2001    ‘A Cry in the Wilderness’ exhibition for ‘Mana Serpentine’ film, Uniting Church, Northcote, VIC.
                 Pit Space Gallery, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, VIC.
                 Tea Towel Show, 69 Smith Street Gallery, Fitzroy, VIC.
                ‘Koori Women Mean Business’ award, Brunswick Mechanics Institute, VIC. 
2000        Project Space Gallery, RMIT University, Bundoora Campus, VIC.
                 Tea Towel Show, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne, VIC.
                   Artist Tea Towel Company exhibition, Kingsgate Workshops Trust, London, UK.

KAREN REYS – ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Karen Reys is strong Aboriginal woman and a descendant of the Gugu Yimithirr Nation, Western Yalandji, Badjala, and Djirrabal people of Queensland. Her cultural linage to Cairns spans four generations. She is a Mother, Grandmother, Aboriginal Artist, Spiritual Healer and Elder.

Karen’s artworks in mixed media and installation explore Aboriginal issues in a highly contemporary and conceptual manner. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Art), Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Healing Arts, and over twenty years’ experience in Indigenous and cross-cultural education that includes an Associate Lecturer. Her works are represented in the collection of the Berndt Museum of Anthropology at the University of Western Australia, and the City of Freemantle, Perth.

Karen’s personal and spiritual journey through her art practice and business CEED (pronounced seed, Community Engagement and Education Development) has empowered her to play a key role in facilitating social change and emotional wellbeing. Karen is proud to deliver her signature Aboriginal Cultural Healing Program, namely Rainbow Songlines, alongside her sisters Susan and Jennifer. The inclusive workshops provide a culturally safe place for women to explore who they are and what their higher purpose is in life through shared stories, Indigenous ancient wisdom, cultural healing and the creative arts.

 “Shadows reflect what’s happening in the present. A change of lighting can alter its perception.” – Karen Reys

Karen’s vision is to bridge two cultures and build shared spaces that acknowledge one’s self-worth and values the concept of unity. She teaches Indigenous knowledge and wisdom as a commitment to the Ancestors, Mother Earth, and to keeping the Dreaming alive.

EXHIBITIONS

2016 - 2017                Independent Artist Exhibition

Cairns Indigenous Art Festival (CIAF)

2016                          Emerging Artist & Solo Exhibitions

An Exploration of Cultural and Spiritual Identity on Country

KickArts Contemporary Arts, Cairns

2004                          Solo Exhibition - ‘Where is my Place of Belonging’

                                 Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, Perth