About Us
Who we are
Raintree Art was founded on the 1st of July 2008 one month after I moved to Ballarat from Darwin. I had grand plans of being a lady of lesuire but my long time friend Shirley Collins had other ideas. Shirley had worked in the Aboriginal Art Industry since the 1970’s. She owned and operated Raintree Fine Aboriginal Art Gallery from the mid 1980’s to 2005. She wanted to collect the art and I sell it on the internet. Thus Raintree Art began.
In 2017 I had a bit more time so I started doing markets and promoting my artists. Louise Numina said to me in March 2017 that she wanted to be ‘famous like Aunty Gloria’. Ok I said. Let’s do it.
Shirley Collins
Shirley Collins has worked in the aboriginal art industry in Darwin and the Top End since the 1970's. She worked with Dorothy Bennett going out to communities collecting artifacts and bark paintings. She ran Raintree Fine Art gallery in Darwin for 20 years (im guessing). Possibly the first indigenous person to own a art gallery. Launched the career of Harold Thomas as an artist (and others) Has been working with artists since the 70's and even though she is in her 80's she is still active in the industry. She has worked with the Numina Sisters from when they moved to Darwin. Seriously because of her the aboriginal art industry can. Shirley also works closely with Raintree Art collecting paintings and working with the artists. In fact Shirley was the one to suggest to me that I should sell art on the internet and she gifted me the name Raintree name.
What we have done
- Clothing deal with boutique designer Pia Du Pradal (2017-present)
- Mercedes Benz Fashion Parade 2017
- Exhibition at Kenmore Gallery, Brisbane 2017 and 2019
- Viral Facebook videos of more than 15 million views
- Exclusive live painting for Dame Quentin Bryce (2019)
- Participation in the Biennale of Australian Art 2018
- Exhibition at Wentworth Gallery, Sydney 2019
- Licence of art by the Numina Sisters and exclusive Raintree Collection range
- Mentioned in the Australian Women's Weekly June 2020 edition