Noongar artist Darryl Dempster’s connection to Country to be on display as Reconciliation Week banners

After picking up painting as a means of connection in 2019, Noongar artist Darryl Dempster’s artwork will be displayed more than 400 times across Perth as banner artwork for National Reconciliation Week. His piece Snake Nest will be displayed on banners around Perth for the week with the artwork representing “the rich cultural tapestry of the Indigenous peoples, blending traditional symbolism with contemporary artistic expression”. Dempster was born in Esperance and now lives in Perth. He is neurodivergent and has limited verbal abilities, communicating largely through gestures and sounds as well as through his paintings. Since taking up painting in 2019, Dempster has been lauded for his use of colour and had his first solo exhibition at the Fremantle Arts Centre in 2024. According to his art coach Ariel Katzir, the connection to Country Dempster expresses in his artwork comes from feeling rather than learning as he has been unable to go back to Country in Esperance. He is also helped by his long-time friend and Rocky Bay team leader Talei Mackenzie, who spoke about Dempster’s creative journey. Ms Mackenzie said Dempster’s artwork was about connection. “Darryl creates for connection, so that’s really important to him. For a long time he felt really isolated and he really only had the people who came to support him in the home who were consistent people,” she said. “The artworks enabled him to have confidence, to be seen and to really show off his story and his journey and his connection to culture, which is very unique.” Through Dempster’s words, sounds and signs while creating his artwork, Ms Katzir notates what his artworks mean. Dempster’s piece Mumma Along the Coast is one of 10 of his works being showcased for a Reconciliation Week breakfast on May 27 at Fremantle Passenger Terminal, Walyalup. The artwork maps the presence and movement of sea creatures along the Esperance coastline, showing Dempster’s cultural connection to Country. It captures the tracks, rhythms and spirit of marine life as well as a sense of place and belonging. Ms Mackenzie said Dempster was happy to see his work on the banners and would be even happier once he saw them up. “When he saw the banners life size, he was really excited,” she said. “I still don’t think he understands the enormity of it and when he sees them all hanging down Hay Street, St Georges, I think he’ll be super, super, super, super excited.”