Kerry Madawyn McCarthy

Kerry McCarthy, known affectionately as Madawyn within her Indigenous family, was born at Daly River in August 1975. Kerry comes from Bulgul country in the western Wagait area of the Top End, around a two and a half hour drive south west of Darwin.

The daughter of an Irish father and Indigenous mother, and sister of Helen Tyalmuty McCarthy, Kerry's upbringing in the Daly River community was a harmonious blend of two worlds. From an early age, she found solace and expression in painting, a passion nurtured by her family's encouragement. Every Sunday, her father would set up painting sessions on the back veranda for the kids, fostering Kerry's artistic spirit with big blocks of butcher paper and vibrant paints.

After moving to Darwin in 1985 and completing her schooling, Kerry moved back to the Daly where she worked in various jobs. In 1994, at the suggestion of one of her Indigenous mothers, Kerry started to paint.

Initially inspired by the traditional styles prevalent in her region, Kerry's artistic evolution was sparked by her enrollment in a tertiary Art and Craft program at the Bachelor Institute of Advanced Education. Immersing herself in the teachings of her grandfather and spending two transformative years on her mother's Bulgul homeland, Kerry's oeuvre underwent a profound transformation.

Kerry draws on a wide range of stories from her Ancestral home at Bulgul. Recurring images of bush foods appear - wild gooseberries, fishnets and dilly bags traditionally used for food gathering, mussel shells, and goose eggs. Her artworks depicting the Crocodile Creation story called 'Awurrapun' emanate power, and her 'Grandfather's Song' artworks exquisitely represent the rhythm of his songs.

Kerry produces all her stories with an elegant spatial quality that highlights the importance and beauty of these ancient stories. She has a refined range of technical skills and is a gifted colourist. Her beautifully worked compositions are precise, ethereal and hold a timeless beauty.

Kerry's artistry has not only captured the hearts of collectors but has also garnered recognition on the national stage. She has been a finalist in prestigious art prizes and received a Highly Commended at the 2022 Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize.

Recently, Kerry's artistry reached new heights when she won the First Nations Art Award at the 2024 National Contemporary Art Prize (NCAP) for her piece 'Syaw'. This prestigious award, widely regarded as a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional talent, solidifies her status as one of the significant voices in contemporary Indigenous art. Collectors and art enthusiasts alike celebrate her work, which captures the heart of Bulgul country and her family's legacy.

Beyond her art, Kerry is known for her quiet, generous spirit, thriving in one on one conversations where she shares stories of her culture and family. As a founding member of the Bulgul Artists, she relishes opportunities to connect with family, experiment with new techniques, and collaborate creatively. For Kerry, art is a means of honoring her grandfather's legacy and sharing her people's connection to land and country.

Married to her longtime partner and fellow Bulgul Artist, Allen Stephensen, Kerry divides her time between homes in Bulgul and Darwin with their three children. Through her work, Kerry McCarthy ensures that the stories of the Top End endure, inviting future generations to connect with the land and culture that have shaped her life.

Copyright Kate Owen Gallery, May 2024 and updated in November 2024