Peter Farmer is an Australian Aboriginal (Noongar) man and was born in Gnowangerup, Western Australia, in 1971. His family totem, which has been handed down through many generations, is the Chirriger (Blue Wrens) which he often shares in his artwork through paint and canvas and brings to life using vibrant blues "you cannot stop looking at".

In 2000 Peter completed an Associate Degree in Contemporary Aboriginal Art and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine/Visual Art at Curtin University. Since then he has continued to work extensively throughout Elementary, Secondary and Tertiary Educational Institutions teaching Noongar language, telling traditional stories, and producing and co-producing artworks and murals with students and other artists, with the aim of breaking down the cultural barriers and creating better understanding and tolerance of the diversities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.

Awards

2008 - Winner, "Visual Artist of the Year" Perth NAIDOC Awards, National Aboriginal and Islander Observance Committee.

2008 - Winner, "Excellence Award" Australian Institute of Landscape Architects of Western Australia (AILAWA) for Public Art in Landscape Architecture - The Swarbrick Interpretation Site, Walpole Wilderness Discovery Centre.

2008 - Winner, "Logo Competition" National Native Title Conference, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) & South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC).

2007 - Winner, "Excellence Award" - 'Art to Living Well' City of Swan and Midland Gate Shopping Centre.

1999 - Winner, "Excellence Award" (University Category), 'Bibbulman Traditional Art Exhibition', Central Metropolitan College of TAFE & Town of Vincent.

Solo Exhibitions

2009 - "Peter Farmer" ' Chirriger (Blue Wren) Monochrome Series' - Goddard de Fiddes Gallery, West Perth.

2008 - "Noongar Totems Series" - National Native Title Conference, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (Perth) and Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (Canberra) - Perth Exhibition & Convention Centre.

2006 - "Six Seasons" - Lime Gallery, Fremantle.

Peter has also contributed pieces to over twenty different group exhibitions since 1999.

Commissions

2009 - Artwork for the Yagan Memorial Park - City of Swan

2008 - "Report Cover & Research Material Package", 'Bowel Cancer in Indigenous Communities' - Queensland Health (Queensland Government) and Cancer Foundation of Australia.

2006 - "5 Metre Metal Sculpture", [Commissioned - (Percent for Art) Public Art Works] Swarbrick Interpretation Site, Walpole Wilderness Discovery Centre, Artsource and The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM).

2006 - "Doak (Mace)", [Commission - (Percent for Art) Public Art Works] The Vice Chancellors Office and Full Council, Curtin University of Western Australia and Artsource, collaboration with J. Williams & A. Farmer.

2006 - "Signage Design" [Commissioned] 'Welcome to Mt. Frankland and Walpole Wilderness Walk', The Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM).

2006 - "Mosaic Tiled Design", [Commissioned] Leighton Beach Project, Leighton Beach Redevelopment, collaboration with J. Dawson and S. Hill.

2006 - "Mosaic Tiled Design", [Commissioned] Fabrication & Installation, [Kulbardi (Magpie)], Canteen Entrance, Woodbridge Primary School.

2006 - "Wall Mural" - [Commissioned 5 metres (height) by 7 metres (length)], Aboriginal Studies Unit, Joondalup TAFE.

2005/06 - "Poster Design & Production", NAPS/Indigenous Women's Project, 'You smoke, babies choke', Asthma Foundation of Western Australia.

2005 - "Noongar Language Children's Book", 'Moondang-AK Kaaradjiny (Carers of Everything)' Bachelor Press, Bachelor University, Northern Territory.

2001 - "Artwork" [Commissioned] Mayor of Kagoshima - Japan, Deja-Anne Clanton - Intercultural Music Exchange, Greenwood Senior High School.

2000 - "Noongar Language Calendar & Early Learning Kit", Noongar Language & Cultural Centre.

1999 - "Artwork" [Commissioned] Governor of Western Australia, Lieutenant-General John Sanderson, "For his tireless work on Social Justice", Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University of Western Australia.

Collections

The National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), Canberra.

Edith Cowan University Art Collection, Western Australia.

Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University Art Gallery, Western Australia.

Government House Art Collection, Western Australia.

Town of Vincent Art Collection, Western Australia.

City of Swan Art Collection, Western Australia.

Kagoshima City Hall Art Collection, Japan.

Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation Art Collection, Western Australia.

Aboriginal Alcohol & Drugs Service Art Collection, Western Australia.

City of Joondalup Art Collection, Western Australia.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management Art Collection, Western Australia.

Numerous Private Art Collections Worldwide.

Peter Farmer's current authentic Aboriginal art pieces can be viewed by appointment only and you can request commissioned pieces by contacting Peter on 0434 903 288.