Doreen Chapman
Artist Profile
Biography
Biography as told by Doreen’s mother, Maywokka May Chapman:
“Been born Jigalong. Big sister for my son, Dennis Thomas. [S]he been come this way Hedland. Doreen [and] me [are] from Karntimarta, Warralong. She looking… looking she quick painter, quaickly, looking, looking. No fishing, no hunting, no car, painting, painting, painting every day eh? You been bring ‘em, [s]he painting, painting, painting! (laughs)”
Doreen was born in Jigalong in 1971 and has spent her life moving between Western Desert communities in the Pilbara, Western Australia. She is a Manyjilyjarra artist and has spent the majority of her adult life in Warralong, a community 120km south-east of Port Hedland. She started painting with her mother, Maywokka May Chapman, and she first exhibited with Martumili artists in 2010. In recent years she has spent more time in Port Hedland and began painting at the Spinifex Hill Studios. As a deaf woman, painting is a crucial medium of communication and storytelling.
Biography as told by Doreen’s mother, Maywokka May Chapman:
“Been born Jigalong. Big sister for my son, Dennis Thomas. [S]he been come this way Hedland. Doreen [and] me [are] from Karntimarta, Warralong. She looking… looking she quick painter, quaickly, looking, looking. No fishing, no hunting, no car, painting, painting, painting every day eh? You been bring ‘em, [s]he painting, painting, painting! (laughs)”
Doreen was born in Jigalong in 1971 and has spent her life moving between Western Desert communities in the Pilbara, Western Australia. She is a Manyjilyjarra artist and has spent the majority of her adult life in Warralong, a community 120km south-east of Port Hedland. She started painting with her mother, Maywokka May Chapman, and she first exhibited with Martumili artists in 2010. In recent years she has spent more time in Port Hedland and began painting at the Spinifex Hill Studios. As a deaf woman, painting is a crucial medium of communication and storytelling.
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Dooreen Chapman, solo exhibition, James Makin Gallery, VIC
2020
Lester Art Prize, Perth, WA
Always on the move, Suzanne OConnell Gallery, QLD
2019
Doreen Chapman- A New Perspective, Turner Galleries, Perth, WA
2016
Doreen Chapman – Doreen Chapman, FORM Gallery, Perth, WA
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Sydney Contemporary, group show presentation by James Makin Gallery, Carriageworks, Sydney, NSW
The 24th Biennale of Sydney, Ten Thousand Suns, Sydney, NSW
2023
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It), Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, NT
Maggie x Doreen, Spinifex Hill Studio, South Hedland, WA
2022
Tracks We Share: Contemporary Art of the Pilbara, Art Gallery of WA, Perth, WA
2020
Painting Place, Chapman&Bailey, Melbourne, VIC
Salon des Refuses, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT
Cossack Art Award, Cossack, WA
The Jury Art Prize, The Junction Co., Port Hedland, WA
Different Sorta Colour, The Design Files, Melbourne, VIC
2019
Perth Royal Art Prize, Perth, WA
Salon des Refuses, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT
Cossack Art Award, Cossack, WA
6722, Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland, WA
Paru [Spinifex], Artitja Fine Art Gallery, Perth, WA
Mid-West Art Prize, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, Geraldton, WA
Born Strong, Harvey Art Projects, USA
2018
Hedland Art Award, Port Hedland Courthouse Gallery, WA
Cossack Art Award, Cossack, WA
Ancient Stories, New Narratives, Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, NSW
Good Enough! The Art of Spinifex Hill Artists – Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, NT
Pujiman – Spinifex Hill Artists and Martumili Artists (touring exhibition) WA
2017
Cossack Art Award, Cossack, WA
2016
Mandjar Art Exhibition, Mandurah Performing Art Centre, WA
Anything Colours – Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, NT
2015
We Call It Home – FORM Gallery, Perth, WA
2015
Hedland Art Award – Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland, WA
We Call It Home – Courthouse Gallery Port Hedland, WA
Revealed 2015, Gallery Central, Perth, WA
2021
Cossack Art Awards 2021, Best Painting by an Indigenous Artist, 19-1265, Red Dog
2019
Perth Royal Art Prize 2019 – Highly Commended
2017
Hedland Art Awards – Best Painting by an Indigenous Artist
Cossack Art Award 2017 – Best Painting by a Pilbara Artist
2016
Cossack Art Prize 2016 – Best Painting by an Indigenous Artist
Hedland Art Awards 2016 – Kathy Donnelly Judges Award
2015
Cossack Art Prize 2015 – Best Painting by an Indigenous Artist
