This didgeridoo
is made from natural
termite hollowed
eucalyptus timber
from SW Queensland
region - brown box.
It features an unusually
shaped flared end.
Michael has burnt
the goanna and black
snake design into the
timber using his dot
art style and
burning tool.
This didgeridoo is
not only a unique
piece of art but also
a masterfully crafted
musical instrument
with high tonal quality
[key of "D"]
Sample of Mike's playing
File Size = 551 Kb
[Sound may "break" on
first playing]
About Mike Connolly - Dreamtime Kullilla Art
Michael is an Aboriginal from Charleville, south west Queensland and a descendant of the Kullilla tribe from the Thargomindah/Eulo region [on his father's side] and from the Muruwari People from Goodooga/Brewarrina region of north-west New South Wales [on his mother's side] who can trace their traditional trade and diplomatic links with Central Desert as well as South Australian and Northern New South Wales' Aboriginal Communities.
Together with this rich indigenous background and unique style of interpretation of his cultural heritage. Michael is able to represent a unique perspective in the visual and performing arts. This is evident in his artwork, craftsmanship, didgeridoo playing and storytelling as a result of blending his own contemporary or urban indigenous style with the traditional style of the Kullilla Peoples under his business name of Dreamtime Kullilla-Art.
Now living in Redcliffe on Queensland's southeast coast, Michael is able to use his love of the abundant native fauna and flora of the coastal waters and landmarks, together with the
Michael J Connolly Artist and Musician
rich local aboriginal heritage of this region and encompass this in his works of art.
Added to this is his personal history and passion for sharing his love of the aboriginal culture and an art form that dates back centuries, a tradition that Michael is proud to be able to bring to the modern era.
Gudhu the Murray Cod Unframed Canvas
Michael has been blessed with the gift of art that has been passed on to him by the spirits of his ancestors. Michael's works of art are his interpretation of the lovely Dreaming stories he grew up with. He is able to combine modern art materials and techniques with traditional patterns, styles and subject matter. In his relatively short time as an artist, Michael has produced quite a number of works of art. In July/August 2001, Trevenen House Gallery at New Farm held an exhibition of
Michael's works of art & craft which included a large range of canvasses, hand painted emu & ostrich eggs, boomerangs and specially handcrafted and hand painted/ hand carved didgeridoos.
This inaugural exhibition [which was attended by no less than 2 Federal Members of Parliament on Opening Night] was an enormous success and attracted quite a number of international buyers as well as generating a lot of local interest.
His works were later exhibited in the Indigenous Art Pavilion at the Brisbane Goodwill Games in August 2001 and received glowing acknowledgments. Since then, Michael has exhibited a select range of his artworks with a variety of Galleries in and around Brisbane. Currently, Michael has a
number of his artworks & uniquely crafted didgeridoos on display at Tukka's Native Food Restaurant at West End and at Seaside Artists Gallery at Redcliffe the venue for the Murri@H'Art exhibitions which Michael co-ordinates. A collection of his beautiful hand painted framed artworks are on display at the Dillybag Dreamtime Place.
The didgeridoos Michael produces are made from the timber found in his territory of southwest Queensland - primarily of yellow/brown box. This timber is naturally termite-hollowed eucalyptus. The didgeridoos are all handcrafted by Michael and all individually hand painted using his own unique design expressing different traditional forms. Consequently, each didgeridoo is not only a unique piece of art but also a masterfully crafted musical instrument with high tonal
quality.
Apart from his works of art and craft, Michael is quite an accomplished didgeridoo player and performer. He has been playing the didgeridoo for a number of years and has made a number of appearances throughout Brisbane and local areas. Michael has been invited to perform for the High Commissioner in Brunei, Worldwide Aussie Convention in Brisbane for the Northern Territory Tourist Commission, and for the President of Ireland at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
Oola the Lizard Unframed Canvas
Mike with Didgeridoo
He has also recorded a CD with the Queensland Irish Pipe Band that incorporates his sound of the didgeridoo with their pipes and drums - a truly magical blend - given Michael's heritage as half Irish / half aboriginal. Michael has also performed at a number of opening ceremonies for various corporate and Government functions and conventions in and around Brisbane.
Michael was recently invited by the Australian High Commissioner in Malta to perform with the Maltese National Orchestra in Malta. The event was their 40th anniversary of Independence Day Concert
which was held in the Grand Palace. In attendance were the Princess Royal HRH Princess Ann, the President of Malta, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and several hundred guests. The event was televised throughout the country.
In September 2004,
Michael also exhibited his collection of Indigenous artworks at the St James Cavalier Centre and provided cultural performances as part of Malta's 40th anniversary of their Independence Day celebrations. Michael was invited to perform at this function by the Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
In February 2006 Michael performed at the Mumbai
[Bombay] International Film Festival as part of AusArts India as well as at the launch of the Australia International Cultural Council in Kolkata [Calcutta].
He regularly gives Art Exhibitions such as "Art Banya" in Brisbane and elsewhere. [PDF File; 122 Kb]
Michael's various art and craft products are available from:
His website - please click HERE
Framed Artwork - please click HERE
Unframed Artwork - please click HERE
Market stall - Riverside Craft Markets - Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street Brisbane - every Sunday [7am - 5pm]
Home Workshop - 63 Sportsground Street, Redcliffe Queensland [Please first phone to make an appointment]
Mike has designed and created Indigenous Motor Vehicle Number Plates for all Australian States. These have full approval of the Vehicle Registration Authorities and information/direct ordering can be accessed by clicking HERE.
