Kerry Madawyn McCarthy Sold at Auction Prices

b. 1975 -

Kerry Madawyn McCarthy was born at Daly River in 1975. The daughter of an Irish father and Aboriginal mother, and sister of well known artist, Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty, Kerry Madawyn McCarthy was brought up in the Daly River community learning the ways of non-indigenous society, while maintaining a deep respect for and understanding of Aboriginal laws and traditions of her country.

After moving to Darwin in 1985 and completing her schooling, Kerry moved back to the Daly River where she worked in various jobs. In 1994, at the suggestion of her aunt, Kerry started to paint. Originally Kerry pursued the traditional style of Aboriginal artists of the area, which focuses on depictions of animals and plants. However, following completion of her education at Bachelor Institute of Advanced Education, Kerry Madawyn ‘s style changed to include subjects more widely associated with Aboriginal tradition. This change was also influenced by her grandfather and by her spending two years in the bush at her mother’s home country at Bulgul.

Kerry Madawyn McCarthy is both innovative and precise in her work, continually exploring new means of expression of her stories of life and tradition from Aboriginal lands in the Top End. Kerry Madawyn McCarthy spends her time with her children between homes in Bulgul and Darwin.

Kerry (or Madawyn, as she is known to her indigenous family) McCarthy was born at Daly River in August 1975. The daughter of an Irish father and indigenous mother and sister of Helen Tyalmuty McCarthy, Kerry was brought up in the Daly River community learning both the ways of non-indigenous society and respect and understanding for the indigenous traditions of the bush.

After moving to Darwin in 1985 and completing her schooling, Kerry moved back to the Daly where she worked in various jobs. In 1994, at the suggestion of one of her indigenous mothers, Kerry started to paint. Originally Kerry pursued the traditional style of the area which focuses on depictions of animals and plants. However, following completion of a tertiary course in Art and Craft from Bachelor Institute of Advanced Education, Kerry's style changed to subjects associated with indigenous tradition. This change was also influenced her grandfather and her spending two years bush at her mother's home country at Bulgul.

Kerry is a gifted colourist, precise in her work and continually exploring new means of expression of her stories of life and tradition in the Top End.

Kerry Madawyn McCarthy spends her time with her three children between homes in Bulgul and Darwin.

COLLECTIONS:
Janet Holmes A'Court

Exhibitions:
2015 - first solo show - Japingka Gallery, Fremantle WA