ArchiPro: A harmonious marriage between ancient Indigenous techniques and contemporary style

Words by ArchiPro Editorial Team

Despite being a relative newcomer to the art scene, First Nations artist Lizzy Stageman has quickly garnered public acclaim for her evocative work that seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary styles.

“My inspiration comes from within,” artist and proud Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa, and Barkindji nations descendant Lizzy Stageman tells ArchiPro. “It’s my life on a canvas.”

Lizzy views traditional techniques through a modern lens, reframing time-honoured Aboriginal symbols and dots to suit the contemporary world without losing sight of their meaning and significance. “[I use] dots to describe the footsteps taken throughout my journey, every dot being a step in my life,” explains Lizzy. “As the patterns unfold, so does my life and my journey.”

The daughter of a Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa, and Barkindji nations mother and British father, Lizzy’s art sits at the intersection of both cultures, fusing aesthetic elements together to share stories through the acrylic and oil mediums.

Lizzy’s path to art was not a linear one. Although she showed an aptitude for the subject in her youth and was awarded a university scholarship in Fine Art, family obligations compelled Lizzy to cast aside her artistic aspirations in favour of working in government roles and raising a family.

More than three decades later, Lizzy experienced an unfortunate series of health issues, surviving a stroke in 2017 before being diagnosed with breast cancer the following year. A gift of art supplies from her family prompted Lizzy to pick up the paintbrush and return to art. “I felt for the very first time that I belonged,” says Lizzy. “From creating my first indigenous piece up to now I feel a sense of pride in all my achievements.”

Although she’d put her artistic side on hold for some years, Lizzy doesn’t begrudge the time lost. “I feel it wasn’t my time all those years back and I was meant to go on this journey that led me to find myself and to learn more about this beautiful culture that I have been blessed to be born into,” she says. “Even though going through the tough times wasn’t easy, they made me stronger and more determined to follow my dreams.”

While Lizzy’s Aboriginal identity informs her art, her inspiration is derived from both her own personal experiences and those of her clients, as well as the world around her. “I tend to look at things in a different light, seeing colour and shapes in almost anything,” says Lizzy, citing her culture, life, fashion, and surroundings as other sources of inspiration. She adds that her three “children all play a part in many of my paintings as they are my proudest achievement and the reason I am here today.”

A feature on the home renovation television show The Block catapulted Lizzy’s career to new heights almost overnight. “To have my work speak to people the way it does is truly amazing,” says Lizzy, whose artwork spoke to contestant Georgia both emotionally and aesthetically. “It has been a life-changing experience. To be rewarded for something I love to do is a feeling like no other.”

Forging a unique artistic style for herself, each of Lizzy’s pieces represents the union of ancient Indigenous and contemporary styles, with artworks looking just as at home in modern residences as they do in art galleries. While colour is a key element in several of Lizzy’s striking pieces (the Sweet Rain series, in particular), her journey began in a monochromatic fashion.

Lizzy’s first work, Finding My Place, depicts her transformative healing journey through art. “My use of black and white in a lot of my works is to celebrate my two cultures coming together and to be able to tell my story without the distraction of colour,” explains Lizzy.

Like many of her concepts, the idea for the aforementioned Sweet Rain series came to Lizzy in the early hours of the morning. “At the time of creating that series, our town and a lot of other people were going through the worst drought in a hundred years,” Lizzy says. Designed to celebrate the essential role rain plays in our livelihoods, Sweet Rain puts a contemporary spin on the Aboriginal symbol for rain, encasing the bottom of each raindrop in delicate white dots to form a cascading effect.

A continuation of the series, Purple Rain is a masterful exploration of colour, with each hue holding a personal meaning for Lizzy. “When red and blue are mixed they make purple, and just like that red and blue took a new path,” she explains. “As the colours blend, I celebrate all the things I am grateful for and see in this world. The raindrops are celebrated by the gold dots to emphasise the importance of rain and that to many it is liquid gold.”

Lizzy says the Sweet Rain series is also about accepting change. “It’s about evolving and not letting things in the past prevent you from having a future.”

Learn more about Lizzy's story and explore her artwork here.

2022 Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment - Project Insight

Yirri - The Sun

On 4 March, I presented Dubbo Hospital with my painting "Yirri - The Sun". I was commissioned by the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment to create a welcoming artwork for the new Macquarie Building entrance to represent Country and welcome all the different nations that rely on Dubbo Hospital for essential health care.

The story behind the artwork has a unique depth of meaning, expressed through the choice of colours and the symbols used. Artistically created to be both visually appealing to the eye and play an important role in sharing the Wiradjuri culture to all that visit the hospital. It was integral for the design of the artwork to offer a sense of a warm welcome to and from the Thubbaga People, for all language groups seeking care at the Hospital on Wiradjuri lands.

I chose the name Yirri – meaning The Sun in Wiradjuri language for the title of my artwork and the story behind it. I felt this title best represented this piece and reflected the sense of feeling of warmth that I instantly received when beginning to create the artwork. I wished to bring that same sense of warmth throughout the entire piece and its story. To acknowledge the traditional lands that we walk on, I have chosen to use an earthy red hue for the background of the artwork. Combined with a further presented colour palette of earth-like tones including burnt brown umber and yellow ochre, mixed with a metallic palette of gold, silver, bronze and copper to compliment the other artworks featured in the curated art collection, that will be showcased at the new Hospital.

In creating this artwork, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. I pay my respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

I wish to give special thanks to Aunty Marg Walker, a local respected Elder for her welcome to Country. This is represented proudly in gold writing along the tree roots of the artwork and is my personal representation of the roots that are firmly grounded in all of us on Wiradjuri Land.

More information about my contribution to Dubbo Hospital’s Redevelopment.

Winner Editors Choice Award 2022!!! Interiors Australia DENFAIR Melbourne 10 to 12 February

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Please use the Contact page for details on these originals.

2022 Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment Art Program - Tender award

The Art Program…

Four major artwork projects have been approved by the Hospital’s Arts + Culture Committee. I am incredibly proud to be a succesful tenderer, with my work to be amongst other much accomplished artists. I will create an artwork that will form part of the art curation in the main entrance areas, to the very specific criteria, while true to my own style. Pictured is the metal emu feather sculpture which is one of the pieces my art will accompany. Pinch me!!

The process began with initial submission mid the Block buzz, through to presentation of the concept design for the committee and notification of success. I thank my followers for forwarding the advertisement to me, that means a lot.

If there is a tender close to my heart it is this one, its such an honour to have my work exhibited so prominently. Myself, as were my three children all born at Dubbo Hospital, so were my brothers and sister, their children and grandchildren. So many experiences and memories, it is very special to me that my art will be showcased in the amazing entry way of the beautiful redevelopment. Watch the story behind the works: Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment Stages 3 & 4 – Integrating art and culture - YouTube.

Limited Edition Prints Released! Marrunga Yubba - Sweet Rain -Spring!!

Marrunga Yubba Spring

With the original piece hanging proudly in the home of Block Shop Director Sarah Armstrong and featured in Domain - in my Blog below! I am excited to launch the first of my Natural Elements Collection, the Sweet Rain Series Marrunga Yubba - Spring as a Limited Edition Unstretched Canvas!

Only 150 are available, the canvas prints are expertly made to order and each will be shipped as soon as it is produced. These 150 unstretched canvas are identical size and quality to The Block Sweet Rain, the one that started the series of just five!

Sweet Rain Spring is the first of the Marrunga Yubba four seasons to be launched, enjoy the last days of spring with the beautiful print of fine art, its colour and story. The other seasons will launch through 2022.

2022 Calendar & Downtown Magazine issue 29

WHAT CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

Family, friends, and a good cup of tea.

IN THREE WORDS, DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE.

“Modern Meets Traditional”

TELL US WHICH INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS WE MUST FOLLOW?

@buyfromthebush –

@theblockshop –

@unrivall.d_

@lizzystageman_art of course

WHATS YOUR MANTRA?

I’m proud of where I come from, and where I’m going, I took the journey, conquered the mountains; I found my place..

2022 Calendar with Lizzys art May 2022

2021 keeps on giving with the next amazing chapter in my life. I have been honoured with the opportunity to have not only a full-page feature in this stunning Regional Downtown Magazine, but to also feature my artwork in their Calendar for 2022. My piece will be amongst eleven other Regional artist given this opportunity. I cannot believe that I will have my very own month which is May, I am bursting with pride.

Sweet Rain-Spring has found it’s place!!

What an extraordinary collection for Marrunga Yubaa - Sweet Rain - Spring to be amongst. I am pinching myself once again to see where my artwork finds it’s forever home.

Sweet Rain - (Spring ) Prints now available!! Pre Sale !! Delivery January 2022

NSW Health Tender - Virtual Care

After successfully tendering to design and develop the logo for the Centre for Clinical Innovation and Virtual Care, I was honoured to handover the artwork earlier this month. This concept of specialist services being available regardless of where you are remotely is very close to my heart, so the design came freely. The beautiful design will be used on Virtual Care staff uniforms, lanyards, stationery and promotional material.

The focal point of my artwork is the Waratah flower, in the centre of the artwork. I chose this native flower for its familiarity, being the floral emblem of New South Wales. The word Waratah is an Aboriginal word for 'beautiful'. However, the flower is not only admired for its beauty; it also has medicinal purposes: Aboriginal people infuse the flower in a bowl of water as medicinal tonic.

Read more here… https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/statewide-programs/virtual-care/aboriginal-artwork-story

Centre for Clinical Innvovation and Virtual Care - NSW Health Logo

The latest Lizzy print is unveiled

Moiety meaning Family - made to order, Shop now..

I introduce this special piece that is a celebration of family. It is in modern monochrome black and white, a contemporary Aboriginal art style using a mix of Aboriginal symbols in traditional dot painting. Within the work is many short stories, including a representation of my own two cultures coming together, which history shows hasn’t always been a smooth journey. When I began telling my story through this artwork, as with all my works I am taken on a journey, the art soothes my soul. I wanted to reveal in the painting the many ways in which family forms, the pathways and the characteristics and functioning of families which have changed over time. The large symbol standing strong in the centre of the painting represents family in Aboriginal culture. The many angles, shapes, and pathways throughout represent the many changes a family can go through. There are hard lines for tough times and soft flowing shapes for good times. This happens in all families, but it is these times that families pull together. I dedicate this to all families large and small, nuclear or unique, it’s to my brothers and sister and all my extended family, there are hundreds in Australia, United Kingdom and the world. To me family is acceptance and love even if I don’t like it, standing strong and united, through thick or thin. Our pathways may go in all directions, but it is the family ties that lead us back together.

The Block 2021: Fans vs Faves

PINCH ME!! Did this really happen?

What a surreal experience. I sent my dream of one day showcasing my work on the BLOCK and it came true.

I sent an email to the Block Shop, and it went from there. I was commissioned by contestants Ronnie and Georgia to create two artworks for Hallway Week.  In true BLOCK style, I would have 5 days to complete these two large artworks, and hand deliver to Melbourne to the open arms of Ronnie and Georgia.

This is an experience I will never forget. Don’t give up on your dreams guys, I am living proof that dreams do come true.

Follow the link below to find me featured on The Block Shop Blog: https://www.theblockshop.com.au/blog/block-artist-lizzy-stageman/

Galingbangbur - Children hanging in Ronnie and Georgia’s hallway. Purchase this limited edition canvas print from @The Block Shop

Photo Credit: DAVID COOK PHOTOGRAPHY

Marrunga Yubaa - Sweet Rain hanging in Ronnie and Georgia’s hallway. Purchase this limited edition canvas print from @TheBlockShop

Photo Credit: DAVID COOK PHOTOGRAPHY

Buy From The Bush

Since joining the incredible Team of Grace Brennan (Founder of Buy from The Bush) in 2020 my small business, Lizzy Stageman Art has grown into an overnight success, with the sale of my prints selling at record numbers. Comments from all that have received my work have been of pure emotion, heartfelt, honest and raw. Messages of hope and healing and that I have done this.

Click the button beside to head over and see my prints and other amazing stuff on BFTB.

Exhibitibitions

DENFAIR Melbourne 2022

Im so proud to be invited to showcase a brand new curation of my storys. I am working on a collection now that I have been dreaming about and it will be unveilled at Denfair 10–12 February 2022. I will also showcase them here on my website from the 10th to coincide with the fair and allow online purchases of the originals. Prints will be available, online only.

Denfair is Australia's top trade event that showcases contemporary furniture, lighting and home accessories. Now in its seventh year, the event brings together design professionals and enthusiasts to view a curated selection of new, contemporary furniture, lighting and objects created by brands and designers from Australia and across the world.

Alongside the exhibition, the event features a series of talks, interviews and masterclasses with international designers.

This year Denfair runs in conjunction with Interiors Australia, a new event that aims to showcase materials and products for residential and commercial projects including lighting, flooring and surfaces.

Dezeen is a media partner for Denfair 2021.

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006, Australia. More information denfair.com.au

Dubbo Art Fair August 2021

I was invited to have a booth at the very first Dubbo Art Fair. This was another very proud moment of mine. To be able to showcase my artwork in my hometown and to be viewed by over 3000 visitors was very special. I gained an amazing response to my work and had a very successful weekend with record numbers of sales, having sold all originals and multiple prints over the weekend.

Cowra Art Gallery – Calleen Art Awards 2021

My artwork would take me to yet another level when in August 2021, I submitted an entry into the prestigious Calleen Art Awards. My entry of a special artwork called “Sweet Rain” – Winter became a finalist. This artwork was a creation of works I painted earlier in the year when our community was suffering the worst drought in history, and we needed Sweet Rain to survive.