Proud Palawa man Dale A paints breathtaking portraits of people who are important to him and inspire him. He also often paints birds which are native to Tasmania such as yellow-tailed black cockatoos and green rosellas, mixed with aspects of his culture such as mariana shells & petroglyphs.

"I paint the way I do because it represents freedom to me, as I have been in jail half my life. Whilst inside my art was my way of expressing myself without any restrictions and rules. When I paint, I feel free, and it keeps me in a good headspace."

Dale began exploring his creative abilities at the beginning of his last prison sentence, starting with drawing which then led into his painting practice. Dale has recently been offered a tattooing apprenticeship and he now has a goal to begin his business tattooing mob.