Peter Overs

Tribe: Kamilaroi

Area: Dirranbandi, Queensland

Born: 1976

Biography:

Peter Overs was born in Brisbane (Queensland) in 1976 and he grew up in Dirranbandi, south-west Queensland. The translation of Dirranbandi is ‘frogs around a water hole’.
Peter has always been artistically inclined and decided to paint in 2000. Peter was inspired by such artists as Walala Tjapaltjarri, Dorothy Napangardi, Dr George Tjapaltjarri and particularly Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, who encouraged him to commence painting his grandmothers story. When asked about his reasons for painting and the subjects of his works, Peter speaks of his connection to his family and his sadness that many aspects of Aboriginal culture had been lost or destroyed. The symbolic nature of Peter’s work is important because it connects the subject matter of each work to different aspects of his culture.
Peter’s traditional name is Dhinawan Marii (Emu Queensland). Peter recently went through traditional initiation and is the first Kamilaroi male initiated in his country in 100 years.
Peter’s ‘Emu Dreaming’ was passed on from his Grandmother. This story involves the Emu eating quadong (fruit) and helping to disperse the seeds. This process allows the seeds to germinate, flourish and assists in the regeneration of the land. His ‘Yabby Hole Dreaming’ is a reflection of his own childhood experience, catching yabbies and collecting quadongs for his family.
Peter is one of the most exciting emerging Aboriginal Artists. His work depicts his dreamings with precise, tightly executed lines, producing geometrical masterpieces.