Want to know more about the artist behind the eye-catching design on Kokatha Mining Services’ Lab Courier Truck?
The following article about Kokatha artist Presten Warren was written for BHP’s Copper SA newsletter.
Read on to find out more!
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COPPER SA FEATURE ARTIST: PRESTEN WARREN
His artwork brightens the spaces (and sleeves) of most Copper SA sites, and we feel incredibly grateful of the pieces Presten Warren has shared with us.
Presten is a Wirangu/Dieri/Kokatha/Mirning/Arabana man who has spent his life living and working in South Australia’s mid north.
An extremely talented artist, Presten was taught valuable skills by his mother and grandmother, who passed down the rich traditions of art and culture to him.
“Their teachings were deeply rooted in the stories and cultural practices of our ancestors, which inspired me to explore and expand my own artistic expression,” said Presten.
Unlike a traditional painting that may hang in an art gallery or home, Presten’s art has found a home on many diverse canvases across Copper SA.
His large mural adorns the Kokatha Mining Services lab courier truck, sharing his design with the Upper Spencer Gulf as it travels to Carrapateena, Port Augusta and Whyalla each day.
“This piece represents connection, safety and working together on Kokatha Country,” said Presten. “Browns, reds and oranges represent the distinct ochre dirt of the South Australian deserts while blues represent waterholes, rivers and lakes. Journey lines symbolise the paths we travel, past, present and future.”
Presten also has artwork on display at Olympic Dam and Oak Dam, but his most unusual canvas is the shirts of the Carrapateena workforce, an opportunity he is very proud of.
“Knowing that my designs are seen daily by the workers at Carrapateena, and that they carry the essence of my heritage with them as they go about their work, is deeply meaningful,” said Presten. “It’s a way of bringing a piece of my culture into the everyday lives of those who may not have experienced it otherwise, and it reinforces the connection between the land and the people who work on it.”
We are very grateful to have Presten’s art on surrounding us every day and thank him for allowing us to share the stories that have been passed down to him through generations.
“The pieces displayed at Carrapateena, Olympic Dam and Oak Dam are not just a testament to my growth as an artist, but also a tribute to the cultural legacy imparted to me by the women in my family.”
Picture 1. – KMS Lab Courier Truck drivers Nigel Wilson and Darren Coulthard standing in front of Presten Warren’s colourful design on the truck side curtains.
Pictures 2. & 3. – Artist Presten Warren standing beside two of his paintings.
Picture 4. – Presten’s work also brightens up bollards that are protecting a Kokatha heritage site at Carrapateena.
