Allan Sumner
Allan Sumner, Born in 1975, Allan is a descendent of the Ngarrindjeri people who come from the lower Murray and the lakes of the Murray River along the Coorong of South Australia. He is also descendent of the Kaurna people from the Adelaide plains region and the Yankunytjatjara people from central Australia. In addition to being an established musician, Allan is also an accomplished visual artist and graphic designer. Through the love of his heritage, he facilitates cultural tours and is a popular provider of workshops in schools and community groups where he teaches Aboriginal arts and culture. He has also had extensive experience working in the health sector as an Aboriginal Health Professional. Allan has taken a passionate interest in Dreaming Stories, spending valuable time with his Elders. Retracing ancient art forms, Allan communicates the stories, passed down from generation to generation, through his contemporary art pieces. Over the past three years, his works have remarkably matured. Allan creates visually arresting landscape works employing earthy tones intertwined with cooler tones to represent rivers, lakes and the oceans that form patterns to provide a sense of movement. Today Allan mostly paints with acrylic applied onto canvas, with various artworks having been exhibited in Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. He also makes boomerangs, bark shields, didgeridoos, and other cultural artefacts that have been gifted to visiting dignitaries and international sporting teams.
