A proud Palawa man, Dale A. has recently made the transition in The Torch’s Program from in-prison artist to in-community artist.

Dale paints breathtaking portraits of people who are important to him and that inspire him. He also paints birds which are native to Tasmania, including the yellow-tailed black cockatoos and green rosellas, in collaboration with aspects of his culture such as maireener shells & petroglyphs.

I paint the way I do because it represents freedom to me, as I have been in jail half my life. When I was 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 really 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.

Check out Dale’s beautiful artworks available now in the online shop.