About Kayannie
Kayannie Denigan is an early career Australian Aboriginal artist. She is Luritja by birth – connected to Iltjitjari and Unturu in Central Australia through her grandmother and great-grandmother respectively.
Kayannie is also connected to the Bagarrmuguwarra, Guugu Yimithirr and Kuku Yalanji people of Cape York through her Nganjan (adopted father). She maintains strong connections to country at Buru, Starke and Yuku Budhuwigu and to the communities of Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal.
Kayannie works predominantly in acrylic on canvas and is inspired by a painting style that was passed down from her grandmothers – the iconic dots and symbols of Central Desert art. She combines this ancient form of storytelling with the colours and stories from the lands and culture of her childhood home in Cape York.
Her unique style represents her heritage and upbringing, resulting in earthy, rich and vibrant expressions of her connection to people and country.
Kayannie also creates digital art inspired by her paintings. She has worked in copper, brass and silver to create contemporary jewellery and other items that reflect and enhance her practice.
Kayannie’s work has featured in numerous exhibitions and she is frequently commissioned to produce bespoke pieces. She is currently based in Canberra in Australia’s Capital Territory.
Kayannie’s CV
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2023 Reflections of Country, Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra ACT
2017 My Country: ngathu bubu, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra ACT
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2022 Design Library Exhibition, Ginninderry, Canberra ACT
2022 Collector's Edition, Art Lovers Australia, Collingwood Vic
2021 Heart Strong, Belconnen Art Centre, Canberra ACT
2019 Efflorescence, Humble House Galley, Canberra ACT
2019 From My Mother Unto Me, ANCA, Canberra ACT
2019 Emerging Contemporaries, Craft ACT, Canberra ACT
2017 Tribute, Belconnen Art Centre, Canberra ACT.
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2023 Finalist Bluethumb Art Prize, Collingwood, Vic
2022 Finalist Bluethumb Art Prize, Collingwood, Vic
2022 Finalist John Villiers Outback Art Prize, Winton, Qld
2022 Finalist Art Lovers Australia Prize, Elanora, Qld
2021 Finalist Bluethumb Art Prize, Collingwood, Vic
2021 Finalist yapang Emerging Art Prize, Lake Macquarie, NSW
2021 Finalist Art Lovers Australia Prize, Elanora, Qld
2019 Finalist and acquired artist Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Award, Toowoomba Regional Gallery, Toowoomba Qld
2019 Finalist Agendo Art Award, Camberwell Grammar School, Melbourne Vic
2016 Winner Cliftons Art Prize, Canberra ACT
2016 Finalist Inner North Art Prize, Canberra ACT
2016 Finalist Goulburn Art Award, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, Goulburn NSW
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2023 Designer, NRW and NAIDOC Week Projections, Australian Parliament House
2022 Designer, Australia Pavillion, COP27
2022 Designer ’Jana ngalkaba, majamu, jalun, jilba dugan’, Peter Alexander Australia
2022 Designer ’Enduring Connections’, Canberra Raiders
2022 Designer ’Binaal gurrala’, Sir Roland Wilson Foundation, ANU
2021 Designer Design Library, Ginninderry
2020 Graphic Intervention ‘My Country’, Design Canberra Festival, Canberra, ACT
2019 Facilitator National Gallery of Australia Schools Reconciliation Challenge Workshop, Canberra ACT
2018 Participant Craft ACT Indigenous Craft + Design Workshop, Canberra ACT
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Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Collection, Canberra ACT
Cliftons Art Collection, Canberra ACT
Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba Qld
