The red earth of Alice Springs will always run through my veins, but the salty air of Adelaide now fills my lungs. This is my story of transition, growth, and artistic evolution.
Born in the heart of the desert in 1964, I grew up surrounded by the vast landscapes of Central Australia. My childhood was filled with the songs of my mother, singing Anmatjerre song lines, and the stories she'd draw in the sand.
Alice Springs was where my artistic journey began. I remember performing at the Alice Springs Desert Festival, feeling the red earth beneath my feet as I shared my songs with my community.
But life, like a river, has its own flow. It led me to Adelaide, a city where the desert meets the sea. The move was both exciting and daunting. How would my art, so deeply rooted in the desert, translate to this coastal city?
As it turns out, the transition brought unexpected growth. In Adelaide, I found new inspirations, new collaborations, and new ways to express my art. My paintings began to incorporate hints of the ocean alongside the familiar desert landscapes. My music, while still carrying the essence of the outback, started to resonate with urban audiences in ways I hadn't anticipated.
I became involved with the Circle Indigenous Hub, Actus, Baptist Care, Carrington Cottages, Ku Arts, using my voice not just for singing, but connecting in new urban setting. The city offered opportunities and building my confidence as and artist. I embracing so many wonderful new things, always eager to learn and grow as an artist.
One of my proudest achievements has been developing my artistic hobbies into a business - Desert Rhubees Creation. It's a testament to how far I've come, bridging my desert roots with my coastal present.
The journey from Alice Springs to Adelaide hasn't always been easy. There were moments when I missed the vast open spaces of the desert, the familiar faces of my community. But with each challenge came growth, with each step away from home, a new perspective gained.
Today, as I look out over the Adelaide coastline, I feel a profound sense of gratitude. The desert gave me my roots, my identity, my initial inspiration. Adelaide has given me wings, new opportunities, and a broader canvas for my art.
My story is one of adaptation, of carrying one's heritage across changing landscapes. It's a reminder that our art, like ourselves, can grow and evolve without losing its essence. From the red sands of Alice Springs to the blue waters of Adelaide, my journey continues, one brushstroke, one song at a time.
Rhubee, you are an inspiration to all of us!