Sian Harris, Yunpuru

Sian Harris

Yunpuru, 2026

Acrylic on canvas,

40 x 50 cm

Artist bio
Sian Harris is a Kurnu Paakantyi woman from Wilcannia in far west New South Wales. She is a contemporary Aboriginal artist who works mainly with acrylic on canvas and mixed media works on paper.Her body of work comes from the worldview of a Kurnu Paakantyi Nhuungku and focuses on Paakantyi Spirituality; Aboriginal resistance; connection to Country; queerness; and representations of womanhood.

First Nations concepts of time are cyclical and all encompassing; what happened in the past is happening now. I can’t speak on the modern without addressing the past. The impacts of colonisation are seen in everyday life for us. One major aspect of colonisation that as impacted negatively on a further marginalised group within an already marginalised group is the historical erasure of Blak LGBTQI+ individuals. Our strengthening catchcry and affirmation, which asserts our sovereignty, is Always Was, Always Will Be – I extend this to our existence as Blak people who identify as LGBTQIA+SB. We have always been here. My work reaffirms and examines this. 

It also declares that Aboriginal art can and should explore the gamut of human experience, just like other styles do, thus stepping away from often sanitised versions of voice and truth. This is a representation in a modern time that acknowledges existence of people like me from other times.

Artwork statement
This is what a thriving, Blak, queer body healing on Country looks like.