Wesley Williams

Born: 1961
Origin: Cherbourg, Queensland
Clan: Kanju (Coen), Gungarie (Mitchell)

Biography

I was born on Wakka Wakka Country in Cherbourg, Queensland. I carried the inspiration to paint culture as a young boy, watching the old man paint artefacts—boomerangs, spears, and shields.

I started painting in my early 50s in the Aboriginal style. This is my way of holding onto my culture through sorrow, hard separation, isolation, and incarceration. It brings peace to my mind, heart, and soul.

When I am painting, it takes me out of the dark places and travels my mind back to my home, my love for my family, my children, and my community. It takes away the anger and brings me comfort, strength, resilience, and peace.