I’ve always had an affinity for local folk art. It’s one of the things I always look for when exploring new places. When I was in Australia last summer, I fell in love with the colourful and animated style of artwork the indigenous peoples created. Sadly, I didn’t take as many notes as I wish I had now looking back, but one name I’ve found scribbled in my notebook was Gloria Petyarre. I adore the offbeat simplicity of it all, the unpretentiousness of the blots of colour and the inherent movement in each piece. And of course, there’s the vibrant colours. How could those bright, monochromatic palettes in all shades of the rainbow not bring a giant smile to your face? They radiate cheer, happiness, whimsy! And that’s how I like it.

For the interested, you can check out more of Gloria Petyarre’s (and other aboriginal Australian aritsts’) work at Aboriginal Art World.

Images via Aboriginal Art World.