Rainman scoops people’s choice

A stunning acrylic painting depicting a significant figure in Aboriginal culture has scooped the People’s Choice Award at this year’s Shire of Broome Art Exhibition Awards as part of this month’s Shinju Matsuri festival.

Renowned surrealist artist Colin Atkins received the accolade this month for his masterpiece The Rainman.

Atkins said he was delighted, if not a bit shocked, to have won the award and said it was very rewarding to have his work acknowledged by the public. He said his work was inspired by Aboriginal Australia, although in his own non-traditional style of painting.

Atkins said he had always had a long fascination with painting scenes of indigenous culture, from Aboriginal figures to corroborrees.

Atkins said through his painting, he wanted to restore lost Aboriginal culture and enable other people to understand the cultural significance of figures, such as the Rainman and its connection to pearls.

In Aboriginal culture, long before the pearling industry started in the 1800s, pearl shell was traded Australia- wide for the purpose of rainmaking. The Rainman is still available to purchase.

For more information, call Colin Atkins on 0424 512 490.