Kerry McCarthy Madawyn

Kerry McCarthy Madawyn

View Artworks



DOB: 1975
Born: Daly River, NT
LANGUAGE GROUP: Batjamal
COMMUNITY: Bulgul, NT

Kerry or Madawyn, as her indigenous family knows her, McCarthy, was born at Daly River in August 1975. The daughter of an Irish father and indigenous mother and sister of Helen Tyalmuty McCarthy, Kerry was brought up in the Daly River community learning both the ways of non-indigenous society and respect and understanding for the indigenous traditions of the bush.

After moving to Darwin in 1985 and completing her schooling, Kerry moved back to the Daly where she worked in various jobs. In 1994, at the suggestion of one of her indigenous mothers, Kerry started to paint. Originally Kerry pursued the traditional style of the area, which focuses on depictions of animals and plants. However, following completion of a tertiary course in Art and Craft from Bachelor Institute of Advanced Education, Kerry's style changed to subjects associated with indigenous tradition. This change was also influenced her grandfather and her spending two years bush at her mother's home country at Bulgul.

Kerry is a gifted colourist, precise in her work and continually exploring new means of expression of her stories of life and tradition in the Top End.

Kerry Madawyn McCarthy spends her time with her three children between homes in Bulgul and Darwin.

Collections

  • Janet Holmes a Court, Perth

Awards and Recognition

2022 Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize - Finalist
2021 Fisher's Ghost Art Award, Campbelltown - Finalist
2020 Calleen Art Award, Cowra - Finalist

History

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

2015 Kerry McCarthy, Japingka Gallery, Perth
2013 Kerry Madawyn McCarthy Paintings, Japingka Gallery, Perth


Selected Group Exhibitions:

2022 Palya - a tribute to Steve Ariston, Art Mob, Hobart
2019 defining tradition | black + white, Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney
2010 Rak Bulgul Tjaraku-Butung, Club 21 Gallery, Singapore