Isabell Moran

Painter

Isabell is an elder from the Macleay Valley; she is based in a little town called Wauchope, just West of Pt Macquarie. She was born in Kempsey NSW in 1946 and is a member of the Daingutti and Biripai people. Isabell has been an artist all of her life learning from her grandmother and grandfather who were traditional artists and artefact manufacturers.

Isabell’s talent has developed over the years, her paintings representing the stories of her child-hood, the traditions that have been passed down and the new issues that have impacted on her family and friends. One of her recent thought provoking paintings (Cancer- 2006) has probably touched us all. It shows the different forms of cancer that attack the body eating away at its heath, and, the circles of family, friends, medicine and culture that are needed to maintain the strength to fight this affliction. Unfortunately even those circles that protect us are sometimes not strong enough to break its invading presence.

Isabell has 4 children, 16 grandchildren and is soon to be a great grandma. Her children have followed in her footsteps being fine artists who are developing a reputation throughout the world. Not only does Isabell each her own children and grandchildren but she actively participates in her local community teaching at School functions and community venues. She and her husband Frank Snr, are well respected elders of the community.

Isabell has participated in the Olympics 2000 Sydney exhibition, the Sydney Affordable Art show 2005, Oceanic Indigenous Art Show Sydney 2006, the gift and Home ware Show Sydney 2008, Arts and Craft exhibition Japan 1993, Australia Trade San Francisco 1998, Spirit of the Outback Sedona USA 2002, and exhibitions in Hong Kong and France. Her art works hang in prominent locations and private home throughout the world. Isabell is also an extremely capable seamstress and designs and hand sews a range of hand printed Aboriginal print clothing.