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My mother's father's country is Koinjmal (Eastern coastal plains of Central Queensland) and I currently reside in Cairns. I am employed by Arts Queensland (Queensland State Funding body for the Arts) in the Cairns Regional Office. My primary years were spent in Rockhampton. One of seven children, I was educated at Frenchville State School and began my career in the Arts in 1984 and graduated from the Cairns TAFE college where I obtained an Associate Diploma in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Visual Arts.

I have since completed numerous certificate courses for Adult Learners to assist me to achieve higher levels of qualifications relevant to my Professional practice as an artist. I am currently an Arts Development Officer with Arts Queensland and have a home-based studio where I enjoy creating original works of art for both pleasure, for professional exhibitions and for the marketplace.

Being aware and acknowledging one's cultural connections is something everyone can relate to. It's about identity and having a sense of belonging. For me it is vital to our own wellbeing. Identifying with your own past and being proud of your heritage offers grounding to what you do and how you do it.

"My works of art have always conveyed strong links and respect for the land and its original peoples. This has guided my creative work in my various art-form mediums of pottery, print-making and painting and has been heavily influenced by the rediscovery of my cultural heritage. The contemporary interpretations produced from these links, senses and connections, have given me the impetus to create concepts that I feel are natural progressions evolving from a traditional style. My work pays tribute to my Ancestors"

If you want want to learn more about this artist, please visit her website : http://www.jdusmarkdesign.com/about.html