NAIDOC Week: Wakka Wakka artist Bernard Boyter embraced drawing after diving injury left him with tetraplegia

A horrific diving injury drove a Wakka Wakka artist to turn to drawing for its rehabilitative properties.

Wakka Wakka artist Bernard Boyter began to draw as a rehabilitation tool after a diving accident left him a tetraplegic.

An Indigenous artist’s career ramped up after a life-changing injury pushed him to use drawing as a rehabilitation tool.

After a serious accident while diving, Wakka Wakka artist Bernard Boyter was left with tetraplegia, a condition that impacts mobility due to spinal cord damage.

Though he had dabbled with art since an early age, Mr Boyter’s career as an artist picked up after his accident.

He embraced drawing while trying to rebuild his strength.

“It keeps me occupied and I don’t get bored,” he said.

“I don’t want to sit around watching TV all day.”

Though he had dabbled with art since an early age, Mr Boyter’s career as an artist picked up after his accident.

He also engages in regular exercises to maintain strength in his hands and arms.

“My left hand can grip but I can’t always hold something – my right hand is stronger,” he said.

After the accident, Mr Boyter and his family relocated from the North Burnett region to Ipswich in 1989.

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Now Mr Boyter’s artwork – sketches and paintings – sells worldwide, including across Australia, the United States and Canada.

He said it was a fellow artist who encouraged him to turn his sketch work into paintings.

After a serious accident while diving, Wakka Wakka artist Bernard Boyter was left with tetraplegia, a condition that impacts mobility due to spinal cord damage.

“Mum met a girl at bingo and she came around and said I should put them on canvas,” he said.

“She encouraged me to do the paintings and, at the time, I was drawing with pencils.

“So I learnt how to use and mix all the paint.”

He sketches, creates dot work and explores other styles.

“I paint mostly animals and landscapes,” he said.

“I paint whatever pops into my head – I like to put my own spin on things.”

Mr Boyter said NAIDOC Week (July 4-11) was an important time to celebrate his aboriginal heritage, educate others and share his passion for painting and culture.

He said NAIDOC Week (July 4-11) was an important time to celebrate his aboriginal heritage, educate others and share his passion for painting and culture.

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“When I was a kid, it just came naturally. I used to draw trees. People used to say ‘wow, you’re pretty good,” Mr Boyter said.

“I just love doing artwork and the opportunity to educate others on what we know.

“We don’t want to lose our culture as it’s very important.”

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