National award for Surf Coast sand artist

A GEELONG artist has earned recognition as one of Australia’s top Indigenous creatives less than three years after taking up the hobby.

Lowell Hunter won NAIDOC’s creative talent award at a ceremony at the start of last week to mark nationwide celebrations for the annual observance week.

The prize meant he rubbed shoulders with the likes of person of the year Ash Barty, sportsperson of the year Lance Franklin, and elders of the year Dr Lois Peeler and Jack Charles at the same awards night.

Mr Hunter earned viral local fame in the past two years after his drone images of large-scale, intricate sand prints at Surf Coast beaches were shared far and wide and showcased his hidden talent.

The Nyul Nyul man, who is originally from Western Australia, uses traditional Aboriginal dances to create artworks in the sand with his feet.

His creations can take hours, meaning his methods require a deep knowledge of local tides to ensure perfect timing.

Mr Hunter then combines his work with his other hobby of drone photography, and takes stunning aerial shots of his pieces that also showcase natural features.

“It was a way of dealing with COVID and getting through it; to get creative and look after my health that way,” he said.

“To think that it’s progressed to a national award and being on the stage with the likes of Ash Barty, Buddy Franklin, Aunty Lois Peeler, Uncle Jack Charles is amazing; these are people that have dedicated their life to their area of expertise.

“I have to pinch myself to realise that I’ve come so far in such a short space of time.”