Stephanie Blitner

Stephanie was born in 1972 at Normanton, QLD just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria. She completed her High School years in Cairns, QLD then went to university to complete a bachelor's degree in education in 1994.

Stephanie has grown up and lived on Groote Eylandt most of her life where she worked in the local school while raising her children. Her grandfather, Gerald Blitner, grew up at the old mission at Emerald River on Groote Eylandt.

Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is located around 630 kilometres east of Darwin off the east coast of Arnhem Land. Ownership today has been returned to the Anindilyakwa people, and the island is known for its pristine waters and an abundance of fish and spectacular beaches.

Stephanie grew up surrounded by traditional language and culture and listening to stories of Country and animals. She grew up closely with family living a life of hunting, fishing, camping, and living off the land and eating lots of bush tucker. Stephanie's family also has a number of artists, including her grandfather who was a great hunter and painter. Stephanie's sister is Camellia Blitner, who is also an emerging artist with her list of accolades quickly growing.

Art from Groote Eylandt celebrates the old ways and contemporary takes on life on Country. It is unique to the region, in both style and technique, though often speaks to neighbouring mainland artistic practices. Traditionally, Anindilyakwa artists have been known for their bark painting, however contemporary artists use a multitude of mediums available to them. Stephanie has a great love for art and is inspired to follow the long list of family members before her.

Stephanie, along with her friends and family members, are also part of the Bulgul Artists which is an informal collective from the Bulgul Community and surrounding regions in the Top End. The artists are forging a unique form of expression, using rich colours and intricate dot work. Like many of the Bulgul Artists, Stephanie sees artistic expression as an important way to maintain and pass on culture and stories to the next generation.

Stephanie is currently the Assistant Principal of Borroloola School which is located 670 kilometres east-south-east of Katherine and about 50 km upstream from the Gulf of Carpentaria. Whilst her busy schedule means her creative output is modest, her paintings always leave collectors excited and wanting more.

Copyright Kate Owen Gallery, March 2024