milaythina mana: Danny Gardener

Danny Gardner is a proud Palawa man. His culture flows deeply through his father and his grandmother Furley from truwana / Cape Barren Island through to Manalakina, chief of the Truwulway people and renowned warrior from the north-east coast of lutruwita / Tasmania. Danny upholds a deep connection to Country through his cultural upbringing and practice of traditional fire management. Danny’s work is guided by cultural lore and respect for Culture.

Aboriginal knowledge is in Country, shared through stories that hold many different knowledges about the way the systems that make up Country intersect with each other. These stories are connected to songlines that connect with the Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.

Danny Gardner is an experienced artist with diverse skills based in cultural practice. Each object Danny creates is made by hand and holds the knowledge and traditions of his ancestors. Cultural practice is familial and relational, each object is living, and carries with it the stories of Danny’s ancestors and family. Inhabiting a gallery space at Rosny Farm, Danny is sharing the significance of these family objects for his first solo exhibition in an art gallery.

image: courtesy of Danny Gardener