Artist: Beverley Egan

Region: Murchison River, WA

Title: Inclusion

Size: 150 x 120 cm

Artwork commissioned by Bankwest to commemorate its 130th anniversary milestone.

Beverley Egan, a Yamatji woman born in Mullewa on August 21, 1961, is proficient in the Wadjarri language and maintains strong ties to her traditional culture in the Murchison/Gascoyne Region. She frequently returns to her country for family events and has close connections with her cousin, Betty Egan, and her niece, the esteemed artist Loretta Egan. Beverley has primarily resided in Perth with her husband and two sons, who are also of Yamatji descent.

Beverley commenced her artistic journey five years ago under the tutelage of her niece, Loretta, and has also collaborated with Bundi Arts, focusing on ceramic art. She is a highly regarded artist celebrated for her depictions of women’s stories and narratives from her family’s country in the Murchison area. Beverley predominantly employs acrylic on canvas for various galleries and is preparing for an exhibition with her mother and cousin scheduled for 2004 at the Perth Museum. Her work is housed in numerous private collections.

Over the past five years, Beverley has cultivated a diverse style of work, ranging from traditional to vibrant and contemporary. Her most identifiable paintings often feature the turtle, or Ganada, the totemic symbol of her father, depicted swimming through the Murchison River in her home country.

Beverley has contributed to the Reconciliation Action Plans of several prominent West Australian companies by conducting art workshops, team-building events, and exhibitions. Her sizable works are currently displayed in the foyers of companies such as RAC, Shell, and Legal Aid. Despite her reserved nature, Beverley enjoys sharing her stories with her peers and the public, aspiring to translate her experiences effectively onto canvas.

About the Artwork

This artwork represents the interconnectedness of the various states and territories in Australia. It accomplishes this through the illustration of road networks and water networks. In addition, it seeks to symbolise the link between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by portraying communal gatherings and footprints traversing the land 

At the core of the artwork lies a depiction of Western Australia, where a unified community collaborates to build and foster a more efficient and sustainable environment for the people and communities of Australia. The dots within the painting are a tribute to past, present, and future Aboriginal individuals who have traversed the land, disseminating knowledge, preserving culture, and imparting customs, pride, and unity to younger generations.

To view more works by Beverley Egan please click on the link below:

https://creativenative.com.au/collections/beverley-egan