Norm Stanley

Norm Stanley
Australian, born 1977; lives and works in Geelong
language group: Kurnai/Wotjabaluk

In a dream 2021
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Courtesy of the artist

Artist statement:

The design and idea came to me in a dream that I had a few months ago. I have always felt awake while in these certain dreams. I dreamt that I was flying over a land not familiar to me. I could see fires burning everywhere below. I knew that it was coastal because I flew past the fires and out over the ocean, I could even smell and taste the salt air. I just had no idea where it was. It never is a surprise to me; I paint a lot of my designs from dreams that I have so I did feel like it was a place and not just a conjured-up place in my mind. From our Ancestors, the gift of ‘Dreaming’ is embedded into our spirit.

I decided to have a look at my map, and I believe I know where I went flying in my dream. This is the coastline of South Australia. These are the campfires of my Ancestors burning below. Whilst I created this piece, my spirit bird appeared in the top right corner of the painting.