Artist George Tjungurrayi: POL OXYGEN

BY GEORGE: article on Australian Aboriginal Artist George Tjungurrayi, first published in POL OXYGEN by Siobhan O’Brien. What fun I had writing and researching this story! I could barely understand a word he said, but somehow the very famous George and I managed to have a great conversation with a few laughs! I adore his work and what a life!

To most people George Tjungurrayi still lives in the bush. But that’s not how George sees it. Although George lives in Kintore, a remote community with 300 residents, located 520 kms west of Alice Springs in Central Australia, it is not as isolated as the Gibson Desert where George grew up. As George sees it, life in “..the bush..” was when he wore “..no trousers, no shirt..” and was “…just a naked young fella..” who roamed one of the most unhospitable and arid places on earth with his nomadic father, his two mothers and his countless brothers and sisters. It was a time in his life when the blood-red sands stretched on for weeks and weeks; before he and his family came into contact with Europeans. (more…)

Eco Style: Book Extract

Eco Style: Published by New Holland

Book Extract from Eco Style by Siobhan O’Brien, first published in 2005 by New Holland. This is an excerpt from Eco Style, a book I penned on all things green/sustainable/ecological. Great if you’re building or renovating. It can be purchased online through this website.

ECOLOGY: A HISTORY
A house as an eco system? To some people this is a new concept. But ecological design is not new. (more…)

A Life By Design: Book Extract

A Life by Design: The Art & Lives of Florence Broadhurst

A book extract from A Life By Design: The Art & Lives of Florence Broadhurst by Siobhan O’Brien, (Allen & Unwin). Following is the first chapter from A Life By Design, a book I penned in 2004. One of the reasons I adore Florence Broadhurst so much is that she had such a flair for fashion and in some ways reminds me of my very stylish mother. In fact, I dedicated the book to my mum, the original style queen. This extract might whet your appetite for more. It’s a pretty captivating/compelling story, no matter who wrote it! If you want a copy click here. (more…)