Dreamtime Art

By Melissa Bailey

Local owners of Dreamtime

Kullilla-Art, Michael and Jo Connolly, say the main driver for their passion

for providing authentic, high-quality and legitimate Aboriginal art and products is to counter the considerable number of fake pieces they see available on the market.

People don't know whether they're buying the real thing,� says Jo. It's a pity that the consumer isn't getting a proper understanding of what they're buying when they buy from unauthentic retailers who are driven by money with no understanding of the Aboriginal culture.�

Dreamtime Kullilla-Art has been operating on the Redcliffe Peninsula for nearly 20 years with Michael as an internationally-renowned Aboriginal Artist, Craftsman, Didgeridoo Performer and Cultural and Spiritual Educator. He has performed and exhibited from the local to the international scale. As the Traditional Owner of the Kullilli/Murawarri Nations and a respected Aboriginal Statesman and Cultural Ambassador for his People, he's the go-to local expert for information on everything about his products' cultural significance and history.

Dreamtime Kullilla-Art showcases their authentic Aboriginal art in a myriad of ways, including gallery artwork, number plates, accessories, jewellery, and apparel. The variety of unique and colourful assortment is accompanied by important information regarding the artist, where they came from and what their work means.

People who visit our shop are impressed that it's run by Aboriginals. We delight in telling the buyer about the authentic products they're buying, the artist who made it and what it means for our culture,� says Jo.

All the products are legitimately hand-crafted by Aboriginal artists with royalties paid to artists from all around Australia. The perfect place for souvenirs, stationery, instruments and jewellery, the Dreamtime Kullilla-Art shop trades locally at Clontarf from Monday to Friday (9.30am to 5pm), Saturday (9am to 1pm) and at the Redcliffe Markets on Sunday mornings.

We're a one-stop cultural shop,� says Jo, Just buying souvenirs doesn't help the Indigenous culture and it would be a pity if the consumer was ripped off by counterfeit products. Buying our products supports artists living in communities throughout Australia.�

n For more information about their

products, please visit the Connolly's

at their shop at 7/349 MacDonnell Rd Clontarf, or visit www.kullillaart.com.au

or call 07 3880 1320.