Artist Name: Brian Swindley
Bama (Aboriginal) Name: Binna
Tribe/Language: Kubirri Warra, Ngamubaralba Tribe, Eastern Kuku Yalanji, Kuku Possum Tribe, Western Kuku Yalanji
Brian (Binna) Swindley is a renowned Aboriginal artist who is passionate about sharing his cultural knowledge, Dreamtime stories and creative visual interpretations of Kuku Yalanji life with people who seek a deeper, more personal understanding of Australian Aboriginal culture.
“Binna” (Kuku Yalanji language name for ‘Ear’) was born with a severe hearing disability which he has overcome over the years by learning to lip read extremely well, however this has never dampened his cheeky sense of humour, his education or his ability to share his culture.
Born in Cooktown and raised in Mossman, Binna began painting at a very young age and has been an artist for over 34 years.
He completed high school at Cairns State High School in 1988 and then studied at Cairns TAFE where he graduated with an Associate Diploma of Visual Art and Certificates in Business and Management in the early 1990′s.
His work is inspired by Kuku Yalanji country; its animals, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforests. Binna’s contemporary style combines traditional Aboriginal techniques, concepts and stories that have been handed down within his family for generations with modern mixed media and textured finishes to create stunning original art works that have been sought after by private clients and collectors from all over the world.
Binna has taught art to students at Wangetti High School. He worked as a Ranger for Queensland Parks and Wildlife at Mossman Gorge, a significant Kuku Yalanji cultural site, for over 10 years where he gained a deep knowledge and experience on rainforest flora and fauna.
Painting with people and educating them about Kuku Yalanji culture is Binna’s dream job and he takes great pride in being able to share his culture with you so it will stay strong for generations to come.
Binna invites you to come and visit, enjoy and share in an Aboriginal art experience you will never forget.
Binna's artwork has featured in many exhibitions including:
Binna was honoured to be commissioned by Tourism Australia for the use of his artwork 'Meeting Place', which was printed on the cover of an iPad tablet presented to G20 leaders attending the B20 event held in Sydney.
The B20 brings together business leaders from across the G20 to provide advice to G20 leaders.
Tourism Australia produced an iPad tablet containing tourism investment information for attendees which featured Binna's artwork on the cover providing a bespoke gift for important delegates.
A written piece was provided with the iPad including a small bio about Binna, his involvement with the Indigenous Champions program and also the meaning or story behind the artwork.
Binna’s original artwork was framed and is on display at Tourism Australia’s offices.
