Evelyn Omeenyo

Brief Biography

Evelyn Jane Omeenyo was born in April 1944 at old Lockhart River mission, south of Cape Direction. She is from Lockhart River in Queensland Australia. She comes from the Kanthanampu language group. Her paintings are themed around Country, culture, traditional stories and way of life. She is mother to another established Lockhart River artist Josiah Omeenyo and sister to another Lockhart River artist Margery Accoom. She is naturally talented. Evelyn also weaves traditional baskets and dilly bags. She also does ceramic birds and paints with passion and creativity. In 2015, her ceramic birds themed “Flock of Thinta – Parrots” was shortlisted in the Telstra Indigenous Art Awards. Evelyn has exhibited in Lockhart River group exhibitions in Houston Texas USA, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Perth and Darwin. Her works have also been featured under copyright licensing agreements in OXFAM Australia’s annual Christmas catalogue for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The OXFAM products included gift wraps, 12 pack cards and in wall calendars. She is a valuable active member artist. Evelyn is an active and valuable member artist.

Artist Statement:

"I start learning how to weave baskets and mats from my aunty and other old girls when I was 12 years old. I have travelled to New Caledonia (Noumea) to show other artists how I do my weaving and tell the people how we collect the lawyer cane, pandanus leaves and root dyes for basket making. I have been teaching my niece and my sister how to weave baskets and to collect dyes and seeds as well. I also like to paint on the canvas and make ceramic works". - Evelyn Omeenyo