Carly Grey
“pataway (Burnie) represents an appreciation for water ways and a gathering place for the palawa people. Being a coastal town, people used to meet to trade food and resources utilising freshwater, saltwater and the fertile land surroundings. pataway was a significant meeting place because of the river and the sea water. Having high scenic points (e.g. Upper Burnie and Round Hill) also made pataway a major meeting point for mobs.”
In 2023 Burnie artist and palawa woman Carly Grey designed the jumpers for the Fremantle Dockers. The project was prompted by her friendship with team captain Alex Pearce of Ulverstone.
Design by krakani creations
Like so many growing up in Burnie - art played second fiddle to sport - even for creative Carly.
“Weekends were full of basketball, netball, dancing and watching my brother Brady in soccer, football and cricket,” she says. “My family always gave me positive feedback on my grade ten art and Mum bought art supplies for me to explore at home. It was only used sporadically as I wasn’t invested or passionate about it.”
Carly says her art career didn’t begin until she completed university. It has played a key role in helping her discover her cultural identity.
“It was after college and completing my bachelor’s degree at UTAS (sociology with a minor in Aboriginal studies) that I started learning about and appreciating my culture and Aboriginal art and storytelling. I just started doodling on my iPad and it has gone from there.”
Carly recently started her own business, krakani creations, which has seen a marked increase since the AFL exposure.
“I use a lot of ‘generic’ cultural symbols to represent components of [the clients] life such as family members. I use the concept of geographical location (using outlines of maps of particular areas) because I believe where individuals come from is greatly important.”
What advice would Carly give a young person growing up in Burnie today?
“Explore options, don’t be afraid to branch out and take risks, make mistakes as these are what makes us the people we become.”
Carly helped make this mural at Saint Maria Gorettis Catholic Primary School, Redcliffe WA, 2022. All students put their handprint on the shed
Carly with Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce, 2023
Carly's design for Alex Pearce's boots, 2023
Mural at Saint Maria Gorettis Catholic Primary School, Redcliffe WA, 2022. The long neck turtle represents the Aboriginal Playgroup ‘Moort Waabiny.'
