Fire | SP-2211

DOB: 4 September 1986

Birthplace: Adelaide, SA

Language: Gurindji

Community: Katherine, NT


Tarisse King is a proud Indigenous woman, from a bloodline of Gurindji and Waanyi First Nations people. She is the older sister to fellow artist, Sarrita King and daughter to the late highly regarded artist, William King Jungala (1966 - 2007), who was from the Gurindji tribe, in the Northern Territory. Most of his fam¬ily still live in the Northern Territory, specifically Katherine.

Tarisse spent most of her youth in Darwin, where her mother and sister still reside. Her ancestral Gurindji land was close by and from a young age she was exposed to the imperious weather and extreme landscapes that shaped her forefather's lives. In particular, the torrential rain and cyclones in the Wet Season and the oppressive and immobilising heat in the Dry Season.

Tarrise’s artwork is inspired by the environment she was surrounded by growing up in the Northern Territory, from the big rains to the lightning storms and the constantly changing earth, as well as her experiences with family members, especially her father who taught her about her Aboriginal heritage, the elements, and the connection to our world in general.

This climatic impact is seen in her artwork, but it was also the road trips she travelled between Darwin, Katherine and Adelaide, where her father resided, that are the main inspirations for her paintings. The journey of 3027 kilometres, right through the heart of Australia, reveals extreme expanses of varying landscapes and provided Tarisse with the opportunity to develop a unique perception of the land.

Tarisse shares the stories of her ancestors and Country as told by her father. Predominantly told in art form through acrylic paint on canvas, she is dotting the experience of her people. She has created an incredible suite of painting series, all aimed at connecting audiences to the oldest living culture in the world.

Today Tarisse and her equally talented sister, Sarrita King, draw on his knowledge, traditions and philosophies in their art, with a strong sense of self and pride in their Gurindji heritage. Tarrise now lives in New Zealand, proudly raising her five children equipped with knowledge about their Aboriginal and Maori heritage.

Her ability to capture the complex and varied soul of the land has seen her achieve remarkable success for an artist of her age. As well as featuring in numerous solo and group exhibitions, Tarisse is represented in galleries in every Australian state, as well as being included in many high profile Australian and International art collections.

Tarisse and her sister are always investigating other mediums to express their stories, which has resulted in a range of collaborations and public projects, from sculptural works to AFL guernseys and designer eyewear.

STORIES

Earth Images.
Depicting the first story and artistic style her father taught her. They are a macro view of the land around the small town of Katherine. They detail meandering rivers, small tributaries, active and abandoned campsites. These artworks keep her connected to her father, the ancestors and to her sister.

Fire and Water.
Her Fire series brilliantly captures the electrifying power of this untamed natural element that is an important source of survival for her people. Likewise, her water series captures the depth, movement, and rejuvenating properties of another important natural element.

My Country.
Depict symbols inspired by the landscape of Kalkarindji/Wave Hill. The Gurindji tribe have travelled and lived in this area for many generations. Each symbol, dot and line has meaning. The artworks are complex yet simple in tone. Like a negative exposure of the landscape.

Earth Cycles.
This series draws on her father’s philosophy that everything in life is circular. The connection between people and the world around them is ongoing. She echoes her father's values with the repetition of concentric circles across the canvas with thick paint and colour bleeding into one another.