Parramatta artist’s work features in clothing line

Geoff Sellman is used to seeing his art hanging in galleries, but walking around seeing people wear his work is a completely new experience.

Artist Geoff Sellman (second from left) with Luke, Tyson and Keirah-lee all modelling the Lifewear collection. Pictures: Angelo Velardo

Geoff Sellman is used to seeing his art hanging in galleries, but walking around seeing people wear his work is a completely new experience.

His piece Her Opal Spirits was transformed from the canvas into wearable art with a new clothing range.

The artwork acknowledges his mother’s late Aunty Vi from the Bunda tribe within the Goreng Goreng nation, who collected many opals over the years from across the country.

The painting was completed over the Christmas holidays, and recently sold.

Geoff wears the jacket from the collection.

Madison, 2, wearing the leggings from the collection.

It has been printed onto a range of clothing, the result of work between Western Sydney based social enterprise company The Social Canvas, Australian clothing company Lifewear and the Copyright Agency.

The collection includes leggings, polo shirts, hoodies, a fashion tote bag and a scarf.

Sellman, of Parramatta, was one of four indigenous artists who collaborated with Lifewear to create a NAIDOC garment collection.

“Lifewear have done a wonderful job,” he said.

“I’ve got a grin from here to here about it, I just love what they’ve done.”

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week, which runs from July 8-15, is “Because of her, we can”, recognising the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women make and have made to Australia.

To Sellman, who is also the Parramatta Arts Society president, that statement certainly sums up his Aunty Vi.

The collection is available at lifewear.com.au