Boranup
Gallery

NEVEN HILZINGER – ARTIST STATEMENT

Nevens maternal grandmother Florence Smith was an Aboriginal woman who lived much of her adult life in the Sawyers Valley region. Neven was born and raised in Wongi country (Boulder/Laverton/Menzies) and identifies as a Wongi man, however he has spent most of his adult life with no fixed address, travelling throughout the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne as far inland as Alice Springs and North to Darwin painting. Neven spent a few years around Broome where he was widely accepted and recognised in the community followed by some time in Katanning where the local Indigenous peoples of Katanning to Wagin also got to know Neven well.

The last few years Neven has spent in Kwinana and has culturally contributed to the Medina Primary School Nyungar learning focus via donated artwork, murals on Yaagin Place and Bibbulmun track camp activities.

Neven was commissioned by Gecko Gallery, Broome from 2000-03 and held an exhibition at Gecko Gallery in September, 2003 called the 2 Bro’s exhibition.

He was an entrant in Shinju Matsuri festival Art Exhibition (Shire of Broome) and the artwork sold.

Neven also painted a number of glass works commissioned by Ganada Aboriginal Arts & Crafts in Broome. All pieces supplied were sold.

Neven appeared in 3 live stage shows of the “Mary G” Performances in different towns. All works painted on stage during the shows were presented to Mark Bin Barker – comedian, artist, instigator of the annual Stompem Ground Festival in Broome and artistic director of Goolarri Media Enterprises.

Exhibition at Murdoch Kulbardi Centre 2006-07.

Mural done for Kelmscott High 2004-05

Along with other artists, Neven created a number of Murals for the Kwinana Community Arts Centre at Medina School. (The word ‘Kwinana’ is an Aboriginal word from the Kimberley region meaning ‘pretty maiden’)