Artist Profile: Sheldon Harrington
This is part of a series of interviews with Sugar Glider Digital’s artists, where we explore their practice and perspectives on digital art.
SHELDON HARRINGTON, SHADES OF PURPLE, 2022. IMAGE CREDIT: CLAIRE ARMSTRONG“Aboriginal art is more than just an aesthetic or a pretty picture, it has a strong functional benefit for all.”
Sheldon Harrington is a Widjabul Artist from the Bundjalung Nation on the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Harrington has been painting, designing and creating for more than 10 years and continues to learn and share the knowledge that has been passed down through his family. Harrington works across mediums blending traditional Aboriginal art and contemporary with modern design.
When, and why did you start making digital art?
I started to dabble in the digital art space at the back end of 2015, as Procreate was becoming really popular. Coming from a culturally strong First Nations family, It was pretty much a natural transition to blend traditional art into the contemporary digital space as another way to tell story and share our knowledge. Communicating our ways of knowing and doing through the times as Aboriginal knowledge is alive, living and moving within the Country that it belongs to.
How has your digital art practice evolved since you started?
It has developed immensely to the point where I can comfortably do it for a living and support my family and give back to my community. Being able to embed Indigenous knowledge through practice into more traditional “Western” organisations, making it a part of them. A part of their strategic structure. Helping to strengthen the understanding of what true deep equity is. Showing that Aboriginal art is more than just an aesthetic or a pretty picture, it has a strong functional benefit for all.
Tell us about your favourite digital art project.
I think the one that really stands out to me was a project I got to do with my Nan. Making her story come to life through animation and projection on multiple services. Articulating her journey through school, learning our language from her Dad (my great Grandfather) by writing out the words in the sand and then repeating.
What would you like to see more of in the digital art world?
I would love to see more support and education for our First Nations artists. Making sure there’s proper Indigenous cultural and intellectual property protection for all practitioners and knowledge holders. And not just for products but for the ideas that are continuously stolen without any credit given.
Who are your 3 favourite digital artists at the moment?
There’s so many out in this space now, it’s just amazing to see. These are just a few that come straight to mind.
My little cousin Tywana Caldwell @artwithnunj
Beau Motlop @beau_motlop_art
Sean Kinchela @local_famous
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try making digital art?
Give it crack, you can never fail if you give it a try. Make sure you have backups of your work. And there are ways to protect your art from within your design.