Kev Carmody (recovering from serious illness) by Pat Hoffie

Legendary Aboriginal musician, singer-songwriter and poet Kev Carmody, a Murri man from northern Queensland, is perhaps best known for co-writing the anthem From Little Things, Big Things Grow with Paul Kelly.

“Kev’s lyrics, his music, his stories and his presence have carried way above their weight in bringing lesser-known aspects of Queensland life to the poetic consciousness of all Australians. Kev is an infection of the rarest and best kind: he’s a glorious, loving, lovable version of that rare contemporary celebrity who still understands the importance of taking time to pay attention to the small things. The things that matter.”

In this portrait, the artist captures Carmody in an intimate and vulnerable moment after surgery for a serious illness he has been fighting for the past two years.

“Everyone who has the good luck to meet Kev is drawn to him. I hope that this can reflect something of the man’s enormous integrity, nobility and endurance, even in the face of his current physical and psychological challenges.”