OTIS CAREY
Gumbaynggirr - Bundjalung man Otis Carey is equally renowned for his unorthodox approach to high performance surfing as he is for visual art.
Otis infuses his own traditional indigenous culture with contemporary Australian surf. “I paint contemporary indigenous art,” Otis says. “The way I can best explain it is, it’s a broken-down form of traditional symbols and stories that aren’t giving all of it away but just enough for people to understand".
"My Nan is from the Gumbaynggirr people and my Pop was from the Bundjalung people. My Nan was born in the dunes up at Red Rock, so we have very strong connections to the land and ocean up around Coffs. It’s always such an energising feeling coming back home for a few days after being away on a surf trip; it definitely keeps me grounded coming home. Whether I like it or not, that natural spiritual connection I have with the ocean and the land has been given to me as a gift through my heritage, and it’s something I embrace to the fullest and something I’m very proud of".