KATE CONSTANTINE (KONSTANTINA)

Konstantina (Kate Constantine) is a proud Gadigal woman of the Eora nation and a neo-contemporary indigenous artist. She is re-imagining the traditions of her peoples’ dot painters and providing a modern narrative for all Australians to better understand First Nations People as part of the fabric of Australia.

 

As a descendant of the Gadigal people, she is passionate about her Language, Culture and histories, much of which have been lost, misplaced or manipulated since the dawn of colonisation. Through her extensive research Kate is truth telling the real histories of her people and is actively involved in revitalising the Gadigal language via her collaboration with Sydney University to breathe life into the original language of the Eora Nation.

 

Her artwork tells of these histories, connecting to Country, and directly relates the struggles, inspiration, challenges and daily turmoil she feels at being a mum, a storyteller, a creative, a woman and above all a connected Aboriginal person to the land, the animals and spirit of our Country into her modern contemporary take on a time honoured tradition of dot painting.

 

Using acrylics, ochre, natural pigments and sticks found on mother Earth she sits quietly for hours producing works on paper, canvas and at scale for public art projects. She now resides with her husband and three young children on Bundjalung Country where she is inspired by the nature that surrounds her and her sons.

The Western idea of Christmas brings together many traditional folklores and visual symbols. In this work, Konstantina sought to “use the colours and geometry of the Australian outback in December to visually reclaim a truly Australian Christmas” (Gadigal Ngura, 2022), with a nod to 1980s Australian icon Ken Done.

 

Ken Done is celebrated for his brightly coloured designs and joyful depictions of Australian landmarks. Konstantina’s Ken Done series embraces this spirit — fun, playful works that connect the two sides of Sydney: the Eora and the modern city.

 

“[These are] a nod to the ’80s legend Ken Done, who I adore. His colour and vast documentation of Sydney (my Country) are such a gift to anyone who calls this place home.”
Kate Constantine