My name is Danielle Burford and I am Contemporary Indigenous artist, local to Mid North Coast of NSW, Australia. I was born in Warrawong, NSW and spent most of my childhood days growing up in the remote region of Bourke, which is situated in North Western NSW.

My work is important part of my life, which is not only allowing me to escape from this world, but most importantly it is connection to my ancestors, connection to my people and connection to the ages and times long time past, as my art encourages me to think about my culture and about the wisdom of my people, that has been passed onto other with words or art, for centuries. By this connection I am utilizing my identity, which is not only being Australian, but also belonging to the Wiradjuri people and I will always favour my Indigenous roots and try to use my art to raise awareness about Indigenous Australia and its beautiful people and culture. This is my way how to pay tribute and great respects to the Elders, Indigenous culture and wisdom and our Spirits.

I am depicting local, regional and Australian animals in its surroundings as it was done generations before me. I am trying also to connect with the secondary meaning of Indigenous art, which is education. My paintings and style therefore will show you actual structure of animals; depict spirits, environment in which you can find the animal, with contemporary eye and big space for imagination of the art lover. Although my artwork always has meaning for me and does have some aspects of reality, as to how the animal depicted is structured, I like when the art lover sinks into the artwork and its world and will get connected with it, in their own way because he or she will be able to take something more from the artwork and further their ability to see different things. I like when the people who see my artwork stop and forget about how their day is going and feel the love this art is generated with, feel the warmth, beauty and hospitality of my roots connected or those long lost, because it will allow them to imagine and dream for themselves and inspire them, or just help them to find their own place out of this busy world.

My art is being generated in two most important processes. First is actual dream I have about the topic, animals and second process is inspiration from nature around me. My paintings taking between 4 – 6 weeks to finish in general, but some do take also more than few months, as they are based on the Dreaming and the dreams are coming in parts or coming back to remind themselves as spirits please.

I am using acrylic on canvas to generate my work, however I do experiment with Ochre and binding materials as well, and for instance one of my paintings “Ochre Turtle” is generated from Ochre, which was from South Australia.

I do sincerely hope that people would love and feel love from my artworks, not depending on who they are, where they go or where they came from. I do sincerely hope that those good people who will find their way to see my art will be able to find their own meaning in my work. I do also hope that my artwork will help those good people to stop for a minute and dedicate a minute of thought to our ancestors and their wisdom passed from Elder to Elder, and beauty of the culture who shaped Australia.

I hope collectors and art lovers alike find their own meaning in my works, and appreciate the connection I feel through my painting, to a time long past but still strong within myself.