Connie Rovina

UMI Arts Limited

Lives/Works: Cairns
Clan/Language: KukuThaypan and Widi


Biography

I am of KuKuThaypan, Cape York, and Widi/Birriah Central Queensland ancestral heritage.
My artwork is inspired by several things. The first being my upbringing within my Aboriginal family which include sibling artists and arts manufacturers; the outback traditional lands of our grandmother from Musgrave Station and the Laura district being the KuKuThaypan people (Far North Queensland) and the Bowen Basin district being Birriah and Widi people (Central Queensland) of my grandfather. Second to this , is the brilliance of FarNorth Queensland’s, outback, rainforests and seas.
I use both traditional ochre tones and multi-colours from inland bush to sea themes and abstracts about life as Aboriginal people. My artwork mainly depicts animal figures and stories following the teachings from my family and grandparents.
I learned to paint from approximately 6 years of age on boomerangs, however I started painting professionally for Queensland Aboriginal Creations in Brisbane in 1981. I also exhibited and worked at the Indigenous Pavilion at Expo 88 and have since continued to produce original paintings.
I have exhibited worldwide since 1988, countries include Russia, Holland, France, Singapore and Australia including in several combined exhibitions , and have had sales to profiled people including the Princess of Jordan (approx. date 1995).
I have participated in approximately 30 exhibitions throughout my art career locally, interstate and overseas.
Many major prices of work are held in private homes and businesses around the world. I have produced traditional artifacts, limited edition prints, fabric designs, souvenir items and merchandise products. I am always open to new products. I specialise in artwork commissions.
I have previously worked in arts consultancy positions, project management, curation, public art and as an advocate to the Arts Industry and to artists since 1990. I also have a Bachelor Degree in Indigenous Studies.
I am currently a Small Business and owner of WidiWorks (my own artwork sales).
I have a shop at the Original Kuranda Markets, Far North Queensland where I sell my original paintings, quality prints on canvas and cotton rag paper, a range of giftware and merchandise, and handmade jewellery designed and made by myself.
I am from a well known family of artists who live and breathe our artwork. Other Aboriginal businesses within the family are Murra Wolka, Skeenarang Boomer, and Muralappis Journey.
Thank you for reading my history.