Michael Connelly

Social and Community Entrepreneur, Aboriginal Artist / Craftsman, Didgeridoo Performer and Indigenous Boxing Advocate

Interview

Michael Connolly, Aboriginal Artist. Dreamtime Kullilla-Art - 14th November 2018

Michael is an aboriginal from Charleville, south west Queensland and a descendant of the Kullilla tribe from the Thargomindah/Eulo region [on his father’s side] and of the Muruwari People from north-west New South Wales [on his mother’s side] who can trace their traditional trade and diplomatic links with Central Desert as well as South Australian and Northern New South Wales’ Aboriginal Communities.  Together with this rich indigenous background and unique style of interpretation of his cultural heritage. Michael is able to represent a unique perspective in the visual and performing arts.  This is evident in his artwork, craftsmanship, didgeridoo playing and storytelling as a result of blending his own contemporary or urban indigenous style with the traditional style of the Kullilla Peoples under his business name of Dreamtime Kullilla-Art.

Michael has been blessed with the gift of art that has been passed on to him by the spirits of his ancestors.   Michael’s works of art are his interpretation of the lovely Dreamtime stories and legends.  He is able to combine modern art materials and techniques with traditional patterns, styles and subject matter.  Michael has exhibited a select range of his artworks with a variety of Galleries in and around Brisbane and, internationally [Malta].  Currently Michael has artworks on display at the at the shop/gallery in Eumundi – The Dilly Bag Dreamtime Place.

Michael is also the artist/designer and producer of the very first ever Aboriginal Australia numberplate to be made commercially available in Queensland, now launched in Victoria and soon to become available Australia-wide.

The didgeridoos Michael creates are made from the timber found in his territory of southwest Queensland. This timber of course is naturally termite-hollowed eucalyptus.  The didgeridoos are all handcrafted by Michael and all individually handpainted using his own unique design expressing different traditional forms.  Consequently, each didgeridoo is not only a unique piece of art but also a masterfully crafted musical instrument with high tonal quality.

Apart from his works of art and craft, Michael is quite an accomplished didgeridoo player and performer.  He has been playing the didgeridoo for a number of years and has made a number of appearances throughout Brisbane and local areas performing and teaching the art of playing the didgeridoo.  Michael has been invited to perform in Brunei, Worldwide Aussie Convention in Brisbane and for the President of Ireland at the Brisbane Convention Centre.  He has also recorded a CD with the Queensland Irish Pipe Band that incorporates his sound of the didgeridoo with their pipes and drums – a truly magical blend - given Michael’s heritage as half Irish/Aboriginal.  Michael has also performed at a number of opening ceremonies for various corporate and Government functions and conventions in and around Brisbane over the years.  Michael was invited to perform with the Maltese National Orchestra in Malta as part of Malta’s 40th anniversary of Independence Day celebrations held in September 2004.  In February 2006 at the International Film Festival in Mombai, India Michael was invited to give a Cultural performance and also at the launch of theAusArts program in Kolkata [Calcutta], India.  Michael was also invited to perform [didgeridoo] with the International Handbell Orchestra [approx 2,000 handbells] and musical choir in August 2006 in Brisbane.  Recently Michael traveled to Singapore at the invitation of Discovery Channel to launch their new program highlighting the Australian culture.  Michael is also part of the National Indigenous Leadership Program which brings National Indigenous Leaders [men, women and youth] together to advise Government on Indigenous issues and to assist with Policy.

It is Michael’s ambition in life to be able to take his Kullilla elders “home” and continue the culture and heritage of his tribe and to encourage everyone to learn to respect the need for all Aboriginal people to continue to learn and practice their culture.  More importantly, to stop the exploitation and imitation of the art, the culture and heritage of his People.

Cultural Ambassador to:  

The Australian Indigenous Youth Soccer Team &
The Australian Indigenous Amateur Boxing Team 2007                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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