Description

Extended Data

DAAO URL

https://www.daao.org.au/bio/mary-ware

Birth Place

Ceduna, SA, Australia

Biography

Wood carver and painter based in Port Lincoln. Ware did not start her artistic life as a carver. In her youth she would create small plaster of Paris animals that were overlayed with local sea shells. She learnt this skill from her mother, Myra, and her Aunt Olive. It was after living with the Yalata Aboriginal Community (approximately 200 kilometres west of Ceduna in South Australia) in the 1980s that Ware learnt the skills required to carve wood and she also carves emu eggs and creates jewellery from echidna quills and wood. Through her association with Kuju Aboriginal Arts and Crafts in Port Lincoln she exhibited her paintings of black and white acrylic paint on canvas in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 'Our Mob’ exhibitions held at the Adelaide Festival Centre (all these paintings were bought by private collectors). She also is associated with the Ceduna Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre. In the early 1990s Ware became an external student at the University of South Australia, graduating with a Bachelor of Teaching (early Childhood) in 1995, a Bachelor of Education (Aboriginal Education) in 2000 and a Masters of Education in 2004. She has worked as a teacher at Port Lincoln Junior School and as a teacher and student service officer at Port Lincoln Primary School and Lincoln Gardens School. In 2005 Ware was successfully nominated as the national NAIDOC Elder of the Year (female) recognising her services to education and in 2006 she was elected as a Councillor on the City of Port Lincoln Council being the first Aboriginal person to do so. This achievement was recognised in a ceremony at South Australian Parliament House in June 2008 for the inaugural 'South Australian Women’s Honour Roll’. Ware was one of 147 women who were honoured that year. In January of 2008 Ware was nominated as the 'January Volunteer’ for the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Community Council. In 2009 Ware was working at the Port Lincoln Children’s Centre as a teacher and relief child care worker. She also sits as a Committee Member on Arts South Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Development Panel. Writers: Allas, Tess Date written: 2009 Last updated: 2011

Born

b. 1945

Summary

Mary Ware is a Port Lincoln based wood carver, painter, emu egg carver and jewellery maker. In 2006 she was elected a Councillor on the City of Port Lincoln Council. She exhibited in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 'Our Mob' exhibitions held at the Adelaide Festival Centre. Also taught by her mother and aunt Olive.

Gender

Female

Died

None listed

Age at death

None listed