Darryl Dempster with his painting “Snake Nest” during the 2024 Revealed exhibition. Photo: supplied.
An emerging Noongar artist discovered his talent for visual storytelling just six years ago and soon his work will be displayed on street banners across WA for Reconciliation Week.
Darryl Dempster grew up in Esperance but now resides at the Rocky Bay Specialist Disability Centre in Perth.
Dempster has limited verbal abilities so uses hand gestures and sounds to communicate and now art has become a way for him to share stories too.
Rocky Bay team leader Talei Mackenzie and art coach Ariel Katzir have supported Dempster throughout his artistic journey.
Ms Mackenzie said Dempster’s involvement in the Street Banner Project made him feel seen and valued.
“When he first saw the banners at full size, he was beaming with pride and excitement,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“It is a tremendous achievement for Darryl… and is a testament to how far his artistic talent has taken him.
“He has never had any formal training and his marks flow from within him – it’s not learnt, rather felt.”
Dempster’s painting “Snake Nest” is a spectacle of colour and tells the story of a snake and her babies; in keeping with his customary artistic focus on the connection between mothers and infants.
Ms Mackenzie said family and Country were important to Dempster and that art had given him the opportunity to develop and share his stories.
“Due to his circumstances, Darryl has had to forge connection in his own unique way,” she said.
“He incorporates traditional markings, reinterpreting them in a contemporary style.
“Darryl’s artwork proves that although he has had little opportunity to spend time on Country and with his family, his connection is deep.”
“Snake Nest” was displayed during Dempster’s first solo exhibit at the ‘Revealed Exhibition’ in Fremantle last year.
His unique talent and vision caught the attention of Reconciliation WA representatives who chose “Snake Nest” as their street banner art for 2025.
Ms Mackenzie said he was “thrilled to have the opportunity to share his artwork and connect with people across Western Australia”.
“The banners are so joyful and burst with colour – they make you feel happy knowing that it brings Darryl happiness,” he said.
“I think he will only truly understand [the banners] impact when he sees them hanging in public spaces.”
The banners will be displayed from May 27 to June 3 across 300 locations in WA.
Reconciliation WA has not been able to secure banners in Esperance as yet.
