About the Artist
Hi I’m Keira Long, I’m a proud Wiradjuri and Kurnai Artist living on Dja Dja Wurrung land in Bendigo. I’m 20 years old, and currently studying Cultural Art at Tafe as I contoured to enter into art exhibits and art related work. As a Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, I draw upon my heritage to create vibrant, meaningful art. My artwork explores traditional Aboriginal dotwork, linework, and symbol work in backgrounds, with focal points on portraiture of people and animals. My artistic style blends traditional techniques with contemporary materials, starting with markers (ink, paint, and permanent) and transitioning to acrylic paint and permanent markers for details. This mixed media approach reflects the evolution of Contemporary Aboriginal art, honouring the past while embracing innovation. Through my art, I aim to share stories of my people, culture, and connection to Country. I weave together traditional Aboriginal designs in backgrounds, while portraiture takes centre stage, celebrating human and animal diversity. My passion lies in capturing the essence of subjects, telling stories that resonate deeply with my connection to them.

About the Artwork
Here is an artwork that depicts a male with short black hair wearing a black & white suit surrounded by red roses & white dot-work on a red background. The male in this piece represents my Uncle Leslie Raymond Campbell. I’ve incorporated his favourite colours; red, which you can see within the background flowers, and black, which you can see in his name up the top of the piece. These colours were also incorporated as Les went for the bombers. I’ve also included the number 4, which my little cousin Dokato wanted because she met her Dad when she was 4. I have also incorporated the sun up the top as Les would sing you are my sunshine to his daughter all the time & the sun in this piece is symbolic to Dokato always being Les’s Sunshine. Surrounding Les in this piece is Aboriginal dot-work which resembles Les watching from heaven and joining the Elders in Dreamtime.