Linda Smith Panangke was born in Alice Springs in 1972, descending from the Eastern Arrernte Tribe, south-east of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
Arrernte country is rich with mountain ranges, waterholes, and gorges. The phenomenal geography of her country and the unique beauty of the area inspire many of Linda’s meticulously painted canvases as she represents the folding landscapes and flora of her ancestor’s land.
Linda’s idiosyncratic style features a soft yet often geometric composition, extremely intricate line work and detailed patterning all unified by a warm, earthy colour palette frequented by pops of bold colour. After moving to Queensland in 1992, Linda began painting her families stories in 2000 to maintain her connection to her heritage and to preserve the teachings from her tribe.
Painting was an outlet for her to feel closer to her home and identity. Prior to 2000, Linda had never picked up a paint brush before; astonishing to acknowledge as her relatively short artistic career has been recognised and celebrated internationally, earning her many awards and accomplishments.
Family History
Linda’s family account is historically captivating and echoes in her artistic practice; particularly themes of travel and geography. She takes great pride in the remarkable achievements of her family members, most notably her Great Grandmother, Topsy, her Father, Archie Smith and her Great Uncle Walter.
Linda speaks of her Great Grandmother Topsy as one of the strongest women she has ever known.
Topsy was a full blooded Aboriginal woman who had eleven children to a Welsh miner. After her husband’s death, Topsy travelled hundreds of kilometres to Alice Springs where she was the first Aboriginal woman granted permission by the police constable to run “The Bungalow”; a home where children from the stolen generation were able to stay. There is currently a hostel in Alice Springs today named ‘Topsy Smith Hostel’ in her legacy.
Linda’s Great Uncle Walter Uncle travelled through the central desert with his herd of camels in the early 1900’s. Walter was initiated in the strongest laws as a Rain Maker and was the holder of the Tjurunja stones and board. There is actually a novel written by R.J Kimber called “Walter Smith – Great Australian Bushman”.
Linda’s father Archie Smith was born beside the Todd River in Alice Springs and is now an elder of the Eastern Arrernte Tribe. He was vigilant in passing down important cultural information to Linda and continues to keep his culture alive through the teachings of his heritage.
Exhibition History
May 2000 Exhibited paintings Red Desert Gallery, Eumundi
June 2001 Exhibition for Good Will Games, Brisbane.
October 2001 Exhibition at Texas Art Gallery.
February 2002 Exhibition at Wynumm Aboriginal, Art Gallery, Troy Little, Brisbane.
March 2002 Exhibition at Grupo Batik Art, Barcelona, Spain.
March 2002 Exhibition at Stanthorpe Arts Festival 2002.
July 2002 Entrant in the NAIDOC Art Award.
January 2003 Exhibition at Black Peppers Gallery, Brisbane.
March 2003 Exhibited in the Courier Mail Art Prize.
November 2003 Exhibition at Wynumm Aboriginal Art Gallery, Wynumm.
August 2004 Exhibition at Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
November 2004 Exhibition at Watling Galleries, Brisbane – Group Exhibition.
November 2004 Entered the Wiseart Art Award, Brisbane. Her painting took 1st place and sold quickly afterwards.
November 2004 Linda’s artwork was professionally photographed by the Arthouse, Brisbane. They can now be purchased as Giclee’ Reproductions.
April 2005 International Art Show, Dubai. Supported by Watling Galleries, Brisbane.
July 2005 Entrant in Matthew Flinders Art Competition, Bribie Island, QLD. Selected as one of the 3 finalists. Received a certificate of Highly Commended.
July 2006 Entrant in Matthew Flinders Art Competition, Bribie Island, QLD
July 2007 Artwork was chosen to be exhibited at Caboolture Multi-cultural festival.
January 2008 Signed a 5 year agreement with Blue Opal Australia Pty. Ltd.
They have produced Linda’s artwork as a collection of puzzles and puzzleballs.
May 2008 One of forty finalist in The 16th Pine Rivers Art Award 2008. The painting was a purchase requisition by Moreton Bay Regional Council for their private art collection.
June 2008 -Current Linda’s puzzles are being sold through numerous shops around Australia. The most successful shop is Australian Geographic selling thousands of puzzles featuring Linda’s artwork.
May 2009 One of forty finalists in the 17th Moreton Bay Region Art Award 2009.
May 2009 Donated large painting to Beachmere State School for the NAIDOC WEEK 2009.
July 2009 Exhibition in Cairns – Cairns Culture Centre
September 2009 Exhibited Woodford Art Award 2009
October 2009 Exhibited work at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne International Airports, at The Rainbow Serpent. Sold over sixty paintings.
October – March2010 Sold 25 paintings to overseas and Australian buyers.
May 2010 Exhibition at Circle Art Gallery, WestEnd Brisbane
May 2010 Finalist in Moreton Bay Region Art Award 2010. Linda was the runner up in the award out of 119 finalists. Linda also received a merit award for her artwork.
May 2010 Currently in production is a line of tote bags with Linda’s artwork designs on bags. In agreement with Rainbow Serpent.
September 2010 Exhibition at Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Strathpine
October 2010 Permanently exhibiting works at Aboriginal Art Galleries, situated at Opera Quays and The Queen Victoria Building, Sydney.
February 2011 Exhibition “Crossing over with Hermannsburg Potters” Redcliffe City Art Gallery
March 2011 Has sold (privately) in the last year over 125 artworks to both Australian and international buyers.
May 2011 Finalist in Moreton Bay Region Art Award 2011 at Strathpine Art Gallery between 21-28 May 2011.
August 2011 Artwork purchased by “Lady of our way” School at Petrie for their opening of their Galliope Centre 94x84cm _ $2000.00
September 2011 Exhibition at Redcliffe City Art Gallery, “15 Top artist from the South East Queensland to display artworks” selected by Moreton Bay Regional Council. Winner of the $8000 acquisitive prize, with artwork named “Alice Springs to Beachmere” Judged by Dr Campbell-Gray. Linda now has two artworks in the private collection of Moreton Bay Regional Council.
December 2011-January 2012 Solo exhibition for the grand opening of the Caboolture Hub Regional Art Gallery proudly supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council. Solo exhibition within the Caboolture Hub Regional Art Gallery – named the Access Gallery.It is a new Caboolture hub opening in the Caboolture area costing $25 million to build.
May 2012 Finalist in the Moreton Bay Region Art Award 2012, Pine Rivers Art Gallery, MBRC
November-December 2012 Exhibition of Moreton Bay Regional Council Indigenous Art collection – at Caboolture Hub Regional Art Gallery – Long Gallery. Combined with “An Architect’s Eye – The John Mainwaring Collection.
December 2012 Finalist in the Gold Coast Art Prize 2012
July – August 2013 Participation in the 2nd Edition of the Exhibition of Visual Arts “Last Whimpers”. Sponsored by the City of Atria and the Abruzzo Region, Italy. Held at the former stables of the Palace of the Dukes of Atri (TE)
October 2013 Finalist Moreton Bay Art Award 2013
February 2014 Finalist Stanthorpe $20,000 Art Festival Art Award
May 2014 Joint exhibition: “15 Artist Retrospective” Winners of the 15 Artist Art Awards. Pine Rivers Art Gallery, Strathpine, QLD
June 2014 Participated in 2014 CapistrellArte – IV Festival of Art in Memory of Hugh Bagchi. 6 to 21 June 2014. Province of L’Aquila – Italy
July- August 2014 Participated in "PESCARART" 26 July to 15 August 2014, Italy