Chern’ee aces it with four stunning works

WHAT started with a phone call from Tennis Australia has ended with indigenous artist Chern’ee Sutton presenting the association with four stunning paintings.

WHAT started with a phone call from Tennis Australia has ended with 16-year-old Bundaberg indigenous artist Chern'ee Sutton presenting the national association with four stunning paintings.

"I got a call from Tennis Australia in February and they asked me to paint four paintings to be used across their national indigenous initiatives," she said.

"I felt very honoured and privileged.

"The four paintings are two traditional works which represent a united Australia and the bright colourful works are my interpretation of tennis."

Tennis Australia's national indigenous coach Ian Goolagong and inclusion co-ordinator Brenda Tierney travelled to Bundaberg to accept the artworks, which they both agreed were stunning.

"I've seen photos but today was the first time I got to see the texture," Ms Tierney said.

"They are even better than we could have hoped for."

Ms Tierney said she came across Chern'ee's website while sourcing an indigenous artist and was instantly attracted to the fresh and vibrant work.

"When I saw the colours I knew they would really work for what we were after and connect with our brand."

Tennis Australia in partnership with the Department of Education and Employment and Workplace Relations also presented Chern'ee with a scholarship to support her art education.

"That was a really big surprise and I'm very grateful," Chern'ee said.

Bundaberg Mayor Mal Forman and Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett attended the presentation at Buss Park on Thursday, commending Chern'ee.

"This is a great honour for a talented and very special young lady," Cr Forman said.

Mr Bennett said while Bundaberg had known for some time how talented Chern'ee was, now the rest of Australia would also know.

"It really is an honour for a national organisation to choose a Bundaberg artist," he said.

Chern'ee's father Craig Sutton said his daughter had worked incredibly hard to get where she was and the scholarship would be put towards a number of art courses Chern'ee was looking to attend next year, to further develop her skills.