Eddie Daylight Australian

Born in Wyndham, Western Australia, Eddie Daylight is an emerging artist whose work is profoundly shaped by his Gija heritage and the landscapes of his upbringing. Raised in the Warmun community, within the Chinaman Garden area, Eddie's artistic journey is closely intertwined with his family's legacy. His late father, Gordon Barney, a respected Warmun artist and lawman, and his stepmother, Shirley Purdie, another renowned Warmun artist, both laid the foundation for Eddie’s artistic path. The cultural richness of his people and the natural beauty of the Kimberley region have always been at the heart of his creative expression.

Eddie’s early years were spent under the guidance of his father’s mother and stepfather, who raised him in the Kimberley. Growing up in the heart of the land, surrounded by the traditions and stories of the Gija people, Eddie attended school in Warmun where his artistic journey began to take shape. However, it wasn’t until after school, while working as a station hand at Violet Valley Station alongside his father, that Eddie’s deep connection to the land began to inform his creative practice. The physically demanding work of station life taught Eddie resilience, discipline, and an intimate understanding of the landscape that would later influence his art. The spark for Eddie’s artistic journey came from an unexpected encounter. During his school years, a visiting teacher introduced the students to painting under the shade of a large white gum tree. This experience was pivotal for Eddie, igniting his interest in art and shaping the direction of his future. It was under that tree that Eddie first learned to see the world through the eyes of an artist, understanding that everything around him; the land, the sky, the people, could be captured on canvas.

Eddie's creative process is deeply intuitive, driven by his emotional and spiritual connection to Country. His surroundings constantly inspire him, as he describes how his mind forms vivid images of what he could paint when he looks at the world. Dreams also play a significant role in his artistic practice, often guiding his hand to depict scenes and stories that resonate with his cultural heritage and personal experiences. The landscapes of the Kimberley, with its rolling hills, waterways, and cultural sites, are recurring themes in Eddie’s work. His paintings reflect his profound connection to his father’s country and the traditions passed down through generations. Each brushstroke preserves the stories of his ancestors, ensuring that these cultural narratives continue to thrive and be shared with future generations. As an emerging artist, Eddie Daylight carries forward the artistic traditions of his family while weaving his own unique vision into the fabric of his work.