”My Nation is Bundjalung and my clan is Ngyabul from Cabbage Tree Island, near Wardell.

I have been painting since I was 15 years old and my major influences have been painting Dreaming stories told by mother Yvonne (Ponnie) Del-Signore and her brother Uncle Lewis Cook. Sean’s mother is a highly respected elder of the Cabbage Tree community; she has passed down to Sean the language and Law’s of their community.

Not long ago I worked for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as a field officer, but also doing discovery guide tours about national parks, its wildlife and the environment”.

Clans within my Nation

”As a Bundjalung artist, I paint stories about the Dreamtime, myths, Aboriginal survival, land, animals, the sea and waterways. Our stories have been passed down from our Elders and as a modern artist I have incorporated my life experiences into my painting.

This painting shows my country, the circles represent family groups and clans with tracks that show their connection to other Aboriginal groups within the nation. Our people live in harmony with the land and sea. We believe strongly in our Aboriginal spirituality and that our life cycle evolves and is connected to everything in the universe. 

Aboriginal people respect the land and sea, the animals, birds and fish. As an artist I have expressed my life journey, stories about my people and in particular our struggle to be recognised and respected as the original inhabitants of this land”.