PROUD Dharawahl man, Peter Kafer, is excited to open a new exhibition showcasing his Indigenous artworks.
Peter Kafer is a councillor with Port Stephens Council, with lots of extra talents.
He moved to Port Stephens 16 years ago, and lived in Stockton before then.
He has served as a councillor for nine years, and has announced his intention to run as mayor and councillor in the upcoming September local elections.
If Peter Kafer is successful in his bid for mayor, he will become the first Aboriginal mayor in New South Wales.
Peter began painting decades ago, as a stress therapy, but quickly found that he loved immersing himself in his thoughts and creating important cultural pieces.
He paints in most mediums: oil, acrylics, water colours, but does prefer acrylics.
Cr Kafer told News Of The Area, “The biggest influence on me was a great artist, my late Auntie Gloria.”
“My works are based on stories that have been told by Elders and also from recollections from dreams.”
“I am a very spiritual person and in tune with my environment, so I like to reflect that in my paintings,” he said.
Cr Kafer’s exhibition of 30 plus paintings also includes several paintings done by his talented daughter Morgen.
They have titled the exhibition ‘Universe and Ancestors’.
All works use acrylics with different stroke styles and different methods of paint application.
The exhibition opens from 3-29 July at Raymond Terrace Library Artspace.
An opening ceremony will take place on Thursday 13 July.
Cr Kafer will also have a smaller exhibition of ten paintings at Raymond Terrace Centrelink office from 3-7 July as part of NAIDOC week.
By Rachael VAUGHAN