Exhibition of artist’s journey

A CELEBRATION of a young artist’s work so far is on display at the Bendigo Visitor Centre until Sunday, 12 September.

Twenty-three-year-old Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson said she is really excited to see her first solo exhibition, Journey, on show the Living Arts Space.

“It’s incredible to see it all up and just have a room full of my artwork,” she said.

Nelson said the exhibition was announced two-and-a-half-months ago and she completed the 19 pieces in that time while balancing full-time work.

The result is a bright collection of artworks ranging in scale from canvas to Nike sneakers, with the young artist employing traditional techniques and vivid colours.

“I’m a perfectionist so I was constantly like, I need to touch up this or I need to do this,” she said.

“I had a hard time warming up to it all until I’d seen it all hung up and then fell in love with it. It looks so much better hung up on a wall rather than in my hallway.”

Nelson draws on inspiration from the natural landscapes of Central Victoria and uses techniques developed over four years of painting, with native animals a big feature.

She said the title of the exhibition relates to her growth as an artist and her “end goal” is to one day make art her full-time job.

“I’ve always loved the idea of having artwork as my main job, it’s just incredible,” she said.

The works are for sale and can be viewed via the online catalogue at bit.ly/3yaDk46.