General News
28 June, 2024
Artist flourishes from remand to in-demand
The artwork of First Nations man Thomas Marks is colourful and in demand.
Mr Marks' paintings have travelled Melbourne on the sides of trams and been used for Horsham's domestic violence poster, and former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has one hanging on his wall.
His artwork is also at the revamped former Pentridge Prison and in Metropolitan Remand Centre.
He's also taken out two NAIDOC art awards.
The Koori artist returns regularly to the Wimmera.
It's where his father Brian Marks lived when young and where other close relatives still live.
Mr Marks, who now lives in Ballarat, returned to the area was to display his artwork in Natimuk's Goat Gallery as part of a Reconciliation art show titled Now More Than Ever with former Horsham artist Gail Harradine.
From the Stolen Generation, he lived in foster homes with non-Indigenous families while growing up but it wasn't until he had a stint in Ravenhall Correctional Centre to Melbourne's west near Melton that he picked up a brush.
Through the Torch Indigenous Arts in Prisons and Community Program Mr Marks was handed art supplies and received other assistance while in jail.
The program, which started 12 years ago, allows Aboriginal prisoners to create artwork, then have it sold while they are in jail, receiving the total amount taken for the artwork on their release.
Their work shares their stories, their culture and their lived experiences.
An annual exhibition, Confined, is held during Reconciliation Week each year.
Artwork for sale can also be viewed online or in person at Glen Eira Council Gallery.
Mr Marks' and Ms Harradine's works are on show at Goat Gallery, Natimuk, on weekends until the end of June.