Featured Image: Lissa Barnum, Praying Donkey Angel, 2021, acrylic on canvas and black sharpie, 45 x 45cm. Courtesy: artist and Shoalhaven Regional Gallery Nowra.

Mexican born artist Lissa Barnum’s playground was her Mum’s Mexico City gallery, representing the works of Rivera, Siqueiros, Khalo and Zuniga. In 1982, Barnum emigrated to Australia with partner, both graphic designers, artists & musicians. The familiarity of Indigenous culture, flora and fauna, made her fall in love with her new home.

In her joyful exhibition Miracles and Gratitude Barnum’s vibrantly coloured works, created in the Mexican ex-voto miracle style, draw on representations of nature and culture to express love for the South Coast as well as respect for and learnings from its First Nations people.

Barnum gives thanks to the region, amongst the many challenges faced in the last few years: fires, floods and COVID.