Bundjalung artist Brad Turner will feature new works at this year's Affordable Art Fair Brisbane, with a series inspired by the natural landscapes of southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.
Mr Turner's journey into art began with his grandfather, painting and sketching animals and cultural symbols.
He later returned to painting after a moment with his daughter, who asked to learn cultural symbols through art.
"She come home and she just said, 'Dad, can we do some painting together… I'd like to learn some symbols,'" Mr Turner told National Indigenous Times.
His art practice grew from creating works at home to establishing a website during COVID-19, leading to national exposure.
"My wife said, 'You should make a website,' and from then on, yeah, absolutely just went crazy," he said.
Mr Turner has since collaborated with national brands and campaigns, including The Block, House Rules, Bared Footwear and Ford.
His work has featured in charity campaigns, raising more than $21,000 through his partnership with Bared Footwear, and wrapping a Ford Mustang for AFL Indigenous Round.
His new series, titled 'Naked', draws from the recent weather events and muddy waterways of the region.
"Lots of my artworks for the Affordable Art Fair will be based off that colour tone and that system," he said, referencing a Kingscliff river where tea tree affects the water's colour.
Mr Turner's works use a blend of heavy acrylics and water, allowing natural flow patterns to emerge.
"Where that water sits and pools and finishes, that's where I run my dot work," he said.
Mr Turner uses earthy tones as a base—ochres, opals, and sandy colours—paired with a pop of colour linked to each piece's story.
"I let the artwork tell me where the flow is going to be," he said.
Mr Turner hopes the exhibition allows more Australians to connect with Aboriginal culture.
"I want all Australians to enjoy Indigenous art and culture," he said.
"It needs to be a part of schooling… it's just very important."
He said painting connects him emotionally to his ancestors and helps him feel grounded.
"Sometimes when I paint, I feel like I'm in my grandmother's eyes and I see stuff," he said.
Outside of art, Mr Turner funds programs supporting Indigenous girls in sport, including a rugby league team for the Murri Carnival and a mentoring initiative called Get Scouted with Olivia Koenig and Jamie Chapman.
He encourages young people to pursue their passions.
"When you do stuff that you do out of your comfort zone… it can be that step that just changes your whole life," he said.
The Affordable Art Fair will run in Brisbane from 8 to 11 May, showcasing artworks priced between $100 and $10,000 with a focus on accessibility and diversity in contemporary art.
