RUSSELL Elaine
Born 1941 Tinga NSW- Kamillaroi nation- lives in Sydney Much of Elaine Russell's early childhood was spent on the mission at Murrin Bridge, near Lake Cargelligo, on the Lachlan River. Her paintings depict her life growing up on the mission in the 1950's. Her vibrant works reveal the pleasures of childhood and everyday life on the mission. The way that Elaine's work is set out in an ordered way and segmented, gives hints of other aspects of mission life and segregation without making the social comment the main form of address. Her work is colourful and happily nostalgic. Elaine enrolled in 1993 in a visual arts course which had been a lifelong dream. When she was 12 she won a local art competition which had a prize of a trip overseas. Elaine's mother refused to let her go afraid that she would't be returned to her. A number of children were taken from the mission giving her mother due concern. In 1994 Elaine was awarded the prestigious "Museum and Art Gallery Award" at the National Aboriginal Art Award in Darwin. She has been a finalist in the NSW Parliament Indigenous awards since their inception and asked to exhibit as part of many other high profile art exhibitions. She is a member of Boomali artist's cooperative. Her work is part of collections around the world. Elaine is also a recognised children's author, her first book "A is for Aunty" was shortlisted in the 2001 Book Council of Australia Awards. She has since released "The Shack that Dad Built" to further acclaim. She is a popular speaker at schools and elsewhere and enjoys her educationalist role.
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