Nhanda Wajarri artist Ree Couzens has urged upcoming First Nations artists to “paint from the heart” as they pass down their stories and culture through generations.
The Carnarvon-born artist is behind Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) Harley Reid’s first pair of hand-painted boots for the AFL’s 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which celebrates the excellence and contributions of the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players of the game.
Couzens’ talent was showcased at Optus Stadium last Sunday when Eagles stars Reid, Liam Duggan and Tyrell Dewar wore her custom boots during the side’s 105-70 victory against Narrm (Melbourne).
“I met with the boys to give them their boots and speak about some of the stories, which was really nice,” she said.
Speaking with The West Australian ahead of National Reconciliation Week, Couzens said Reid loved his boots so much that she repainted them ahead of the team’s Sunday clash with Kuwarna (Adelaide).
The young star also thanked her via a shoutout in his Instagram story.
“Massive thanks to @pilaru_art (Couzens’ art page) for my boots,” he wrote. “You killed it.”
She said: “Painting Harley’s first pair of Sir Doug Nicholls boots was really cool, I don’t think I took it in at the time, but if he continues his journey and becomes a great player, it will be something I’ll always get to cherish.”
Couzens’ late Uncle Dougie Ryder, a renowned Nhanda artist from Kalbarri, taught her how to paint as a young girl.
“He was a well-known artist who travelled around, and on his bus (he) would sell his pieces to people,” she said.
“I’m always very thankful for him . . . I wouldn’t be an artist if it wasn’t for him.”
Couzens said it was important that aspiring Indigenous artists continue to connect with their culture.
“It’s all about family, and it’s about your stories, and you’re the ones who will be keeping that connection going throughout the generations,” she said.
Some of Couzens’ canvas works will be displayed in her first exhibition in July, which is being supported by the Waalitj Foundation.
“I haven’t done an exhibition before, so I’ve got to have three or four pieces up that are going be quite big, so I’ll be painting like crazy,” she said.
The artist last year painted 13 pairs of boots for Hawthorn and has also done artwork for the West Coast Eagles AFLW team.