Christine Holroyd

My name is Christine Holroyd.

I am a Kugu and Thaayorre woman. My ancestors connect me to this place. I speak 4 Indigenous languages, and English. My people have been here forever. My father is Wik Iiyanh (fresh water people) from the Upper Holroyd River. My mother is Kugu Munhin (salt- water people) from north Holroyd River.

Both my parents were born in the bush. My dad worked in the stockyard before he met my mum. He worked as a drover for no wages only food. Mum worked in the old hospital cooking for the white staff. My dad lived with his mother, my grandmother. When “nan” passed away he met my mum.

I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers. When we were young our parents would take us all on long walk about journeys. We would travel for weeks. They would take us to our traditional country. It was important for us to know it. I remember swimming across rivers holding onto floating logs. The rivers were home to many big crocodiles and it was a very dangerous. We were lucky and always seemed to get across safely. My generation is the last to go walk about in this way. Now the young people jump in a truck or boat and get there in a few hours instead of a few weeks.

I have worked at our Art Centre since 2010. I have served as the vice president of our management committee for 4 years. I love our centre. I make art because it is in my heart. I love bright colors because they look good and seem to change when you look at them. Making art reminds me of things like going bush. Every time I work on my art it is an experiment. It is always changing and surprises me when it is finished.

My work is on permanent display at the Pormpuraaw Gallery. I have exhibited extensively in national and international galleries and Art Fairs.