Koh Living is all about promoting talent and great design including the amazing work from artist Kathleen Buzzacott.
The company has been working with her for a couple of years now and co-founder Tui Cordemans is proud of the fact Buzzacott has been able to make some big changes in her life due to the partnership with Koh Living.
“She is an inspiration to a lot of aboriginal women in Central Australia and beyond,” says Cordemans.
“She works with lots of women in helping them being more self-sufficient and earning money. She helps them by teaching them how to make things, primarily jewellery and art.”
We had a chat to Buzzacott about what inspires her and her plans for the future.
What/who has been the greatest influence in the direction of your life, that is, in becoming a painter?
The greatest influence in my life in becoming a painter was my sister. I first started painting with her in 1994. My aunt and my cousins are also painters. All of them paint very neatly, so I always thought that was how it was supposed to be done and I followed in their footsteps.
What have you learned through your work as a painter?
Through my painting I have learnt a lot about myself. I am a storyteller. I learnt that being an Aboriginal person is something worth celebrating and that is reflected in my art work.
What do you wish to express through your paintings?
I always encourage young people who have started painting to keep going until they find their own unique style. They are our next generation of artists. I enjoy people’s reactions to my paintings as a lot of love goes into them. I have even had people cry tears of joy to see them. That to me makes it all worth it, to see people happy. When they have my art work in their home, each time they look at it, it will always make them feel good inside―that´s my legacy.
What are your favourite themes for painting and how do you arrive at the decision to paint a certain theme?
I paint family hunting and gathering stories and children’s stories. I tell the stories that I know― stories of living in the bush, happy memories about my life. I paint what makes me happy.
What ambitions do you have for your future as a painter?
For the future I want to continue what I am doing, collaborating with Koh Living. Also, having people from all over the world visit my art studio is amazing. They learn a lot about Aboriginal art and culture when they are here. I also love to see things grow. So who knows, maybe the studio will grow in ways l don´t know of just yet.
How do you view the future of aboriginal art?
Aboriginal art is so diverse. All over Australia different tribes have their own way of telling their stories. Here in the Red Centre of Australia I see art evolving constantly. From old people who have just begun painting in their twilight years to emerging young talent―each expressing their own way of telling stories. Aboriginal art is a movement that keeps on growing. lt is one of the best sources of economic development for Aboriginal people living in communities.
