REGION: DIRRANBANDI, QUEENSLAND

B. 1976

Although born in Brisbane Queensland, Peter Overs was raised in Dirranbandi on the border of South Western Queensland. Dirranbandi, the town’s name, translates to mean 'frogs around a water hole'.

Peter Overs paints two specific dreaming stories; Yabby Hole Dreaming and the Emu and Quandong Dreaming. These two dreamings reflect Peter’s own life-experiences, for as a child he loved to go and catch yabbies and collect the delicious Quandong fruits for his family. Peter inherited the 'Emu Dreaming' from his grandfather but his artistic adventure was inspired from various sources. Peter’s traditional name is Dhinawan Marii (Emu Queensland). He recently went through traditional initiation and is the first Kamilaroi male initiated in his country in 100 years.

Peter’s love of artistic expression began when he was preparing canvasses for various Alice Springs’ Aboriginal artists and watched them transform their black canvases into visual masterpieces. Artists such as Walala, Dr. George and Dorothy Napangardi were Peter’s initial inspirations. However, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa mentored this new artist, for it was he who encouraged Peter to paint his own Dreaming stories relating to his grandfather’s country.

Peter is one of the most exciting emerging Aboriginal Artists. His work depicts his dreamings with precise, tightly executed lines, producing geometrical masterpieces.

Peter’s unique artworks meld his understanding of his own cultural history and background with his individual life experiences. This hybridization of past and present forms artworks which exhibit a distinct contemporary style while simultaneously pay homage to Aboriginal culture and heritage. Peter Overs’s art began from inspiration and continues to inspire.

Peter has been painting for redrock gallery since 2004.

EXHIBITIONS

2004 Solo Exhibition, Melbourne and Tasmania, Australia.

2003 – 2006 Group Exhibitions, redrock gallery, Melbourne, Australia.

2006 Solo Exhibition, redrock gallery, Melbourne, Australia

2007 June, redrock gallery, Group Exhibition, Gallery Grand Opening Beijing, P.R China

2007 July, redrock gallery, Group Exhibition China World Exhibition Centre, Beijing P.R China

2007 Auguest, redrock gallery, Group Exhibition, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Beijing, P.R China

2007 November, redrock gallery, Group Exhibition, International Art Expo, Beijing, P.R China

2008 July, redrock gallery,  2nd Gallery Opening, Group Exhibition,  Beijing, P.R China

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

• Mem Aziz Collection, Australia.

• Various collectors both locally and internationally