CHEEDITHA COMMUNITY
Cheeditha is a small Aboriginal community not far from Roebourne in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
By 1975, all Aboriginal people were forced to move into Roebourne. But rather than live in town with all its problems, a group of elders camped in the old woolshed buildings of Mt Welcome Station, just south of Roebourne.
In 1985, with the assistance of the WA Government, houses were built and a community has grown from these humble origins.
CHEEDITHA COMMUNITY AND MAKING ART
Art making in Roebourne originated with members of the Cheeditha community. In 2002 the Bujee Nhoor-Pu project was set up in the historic Galbraith Store at Cossack, supporting the production and sales of artworks.
The success of the Bujee Nhoor-Pu project spread to the broader community of Roebourne and these founding artists formed several other independent art groups, reflecting the cultural diversity of the Roebourne area.
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The revitalized Cheeditha Art Group carries on the commitment of those early artists and many of those practicing today are relatives of those founders. Over half of each sale goes directly to the artist with the balance going to Cheeditha Art Group to support new projects and build the livelihoods of residents.
MEDIUMS
The artists of Cheeditha Art Group work in a wide range of mediums, reflecting the diversity of skills and interests and the different ways Country and story can be represented.
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ART GLASS
Ancient stories in a contemporary medium. Produced in our community-based glass kiln, glass is a dynamic, stunning medium that allows artists to produce a range of works that explore colour and light.
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TEXTILES
By digitizing an original artwork, we can share more of our art and stories with more people. The artists select artworks that are reproduced onto scarves and tote bags.
PAINTING
Acrylic paintings on canvas are the most popular way for the artists to tell their stories.