In 1995 Ian completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Northern Territory University, Darwin. The same year he was award winner in the 12th National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award, General Painting.

Since that time his painting career has been marked by regular high profile curated exhibitions in public and private galleries. Most recently, Ian was a finalist in the 2006 Wynne Prize, and in 2004 a large installation of his work travelled to Vienna as part of Spirit and Vision, a survey exhibition of Aboriginal art at Sammlung Essl.

In addition to strong representation in private collections, Ian’s work has been acquired by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and has been selected for inclusion in the Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award: Celebrating 20 Years touring exhibition.

In 2004 Ian was commissioned to paint two major works to adorn the entrance foyer of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The continuing innovation within this body of art has meant Ian has the capacity to capture and keep the interest of a wide audience. Ian is of the Kurtjar language group from the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Awards
Winner of the 12th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (general painting), Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, 1995
Finalist in the 2006 Wynne Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
Finalist in the 12th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 23rd National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, MAGNT, Darwin
Finalist in the 1995 Dobell Drawing Prize, Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney
2003 NEWflames Residency with Fire-Works Gallery, Brisbane
Selected in 2000 for inclusion to the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award Tour – celebrating 20 years
Finalist in the 1996 Alice Prize
Australia Council for the Arts, Professional Development Grant, 1995

Collections
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Richard Homes Law Faculty, Northern Territory University, Darwin
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Private collections (Australia, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Canada, United Kingdom)

Totem Under Fire (2200 x 1500mm)
Mixed Media on Canvas SOLD

Black Cockatoos (1250 x 870mm)
Mixed Media on Canvas

Untitled in Red & Ochre (800 x 800mm)
Mixed Media on Canvas