Fitzroy artist shares culture with youth through new foundation

A FITZROY Aboriginal artist is passing on his culture to indigenous children with the launch of a new foundation.

Arist Stan Yarramunua with Officeworks Fitzroy staff, Eleanor Weber and Mick Porter, in front of one of his works. Picture: ...

A FITZROY Aboriginal artist is passing on his culture to indigenous children with the launch of a new foundation.

Stan Yarramunua, who has a studio in Johnston St, works with about eight children who are being brought up by their mothers, teaching them traditional painting, didgeridoo, story telling, and basic language.

Officeworks is supporting the Yarramunua Foundation by selling prints of his original artworks, with proceeds going to art supplies and excursions.

As a young child, Yarramunua said he grew up around Fitzroy pubs.

"Seeing the things I did, gave me the idea to try and divert kids from that sort of stuff," he said.

"I want to give them something positive to look towards, not drugs, gambling and alcohol which is not our culture."

The print is of a turtle (representing love), a goanna (journey), barramundi (freedom) and platypus (wisdom).

Yarramunua said the foundation aimed to offer its workshops at juvenile detention centres and schools in the future.

Visit artyarramunua.com for details.