Otis Carey making waves in the art world

Known for scoring big amongst the waves, Otis Carey is now doing the same in the art world with his first solo exhibition, NGURAALAMI.

Otis Hope Carey with his exhibition at the China White Gallery Source: Otis Carey

He may be best known for his actions in the surf, but Otis Carey is also making waves in a different field. The professional surfer is turning heads in the art world with his inspiring works. 

His first solo art exhibition is currently underway at China Heights Gallery in Surry Hills, Sydney. The exhibition, titled ‘NGURAALAMI’, an Indigenous word meaning ‘Home’, looks at Carey’s connection to country.

The artist told Monster Children the importance of such a connection in his art.

“If I lost my family and my people’s country, I wouldn’t be a representation of that anymore.  Country holds onto us and looks after us, and we hold onto country and look after it."

“The meaning of being home to me is the feeling of being alive. Being empowered to share a connection that runs for 50,000 years,” said Carey.

Carey’s collection includes a series of artworks that symbolises the connection to country that people have and the journey they make back there, to the dreaming, after they have passed.

This is something the artist experienced recently, with the passing of his grandmother.

“Knowing my Nan has made it home back to country gives me strength and makes me feel proud. It also excites me because now I have a better understanding of where I’m going to go when it’s time for me to pass on."

The artworks are on display by appointment until June 5 at China Heights Gallery, Surry Hills.

Catch Still Frothin': Highlights from the 2016 Indigenous Surfing Titles on 25 June, 7pm. Followed by full coverage of the 2016 Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles at 7:30pm.