Welcome to Country
Stevie O'Chin
- Sitter: Shannon Ruska
- Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
- Dimensions: 61.5cm x 92cm
- Representation: This artist represents themselves
2024 Performing Arts and Music Award
Proudly supported by
Lister Family Foundation
About the artwork
Shannon Ruska is a well known Brisbane identity, descendant from Yuggera, Nunukul and Yugambeh people of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Owner of Brisbane based company, Tribal Experiences, he has been actively working on sharing his love for Indigenous culture through arts and entertainment for more than 25 years.
He has educated generations of people with his Welcome to Country and other cultural ceremonial performances. Shannon has worked as an advisor to Brisbane City Council, Qantas, QPAC, and many others, and he is also a member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Indigenous Champions Network.
The unusual perspective of this portrait, with us looking up into the face of sitter, along with rhythmic circular passages of paint surrounding his head, give this image a strong sense of the spiritual.
“I chose to paint Shannon in black and white dots as it evokes a mood and captures his seriousness and earnestness when Welcoming people to Country.” This portrait captures his warmth and generosity of spirit, and also a thoughtful, more contemplative side.
About the artist
Stevie O’Chin is an Aboriginal artist of the Gubbi Gubbi, Waka Waka and Koa tribe on her father’s side and Yuin Nations on her mother’s side. Her paintings are inspired by her surroundings and stories told to her by her parents and family elders. She has been influenced and taught by many members of her large family, who are also artists.
Judge's Notes
There’s a lot going on in this thoughtful, deeply human portrait of Shannon Ruska. There is something very solid about his expression, as he gazes out at the viewer. The earnestness in Shannon’s expression tells us that he carries serious responsibility as a cultural performer. The detail in the face captures a strong likeness, while the halo-like workings around his head point to the layered connections of his identity.
