Terry Saleh is a renowned Australian artist and didjeridoo player of malay/Indonesian and Papuan/Indian descent. He has a strong interest in history and the culture of indigenous peoples which is due to his rich ethnic inheritance and childhood experiences. In recent years his artwork has focussed on portraying the legends and lifestyles of Australia’s original inhabitants, and uses a variety of media and music to portray these Australians and uses a range of styles and techniques to capture the very essence of the subject matter and produces artwork with different visual impacts.
Terry exhibited in the Australian pavilion World Expo ’88 and his largest and most visually prominent artwork was created for Australia’s first Gold Coast Indy Car Grand Prix 1991. He has exhibited internationally in America and at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, Canada 1991, in Augsburg, Germany 1993, the whole of Germany 1994 & 1995 and Japan 1995. Terry has participated in a Trade Mission to Brunei and Singapore with The Queensland Department of Economic Development & Trade in 1997, World Trade Expo in Korea 1999 and was a finalist in the Premier of Queensland Export Award 2000.
Terry’s expertise as a didjeridoo player and knowledge of this instrument has resulted in performances in Wales, England, Japan and Germany by invitation. Described by many as a “spiritual artist” Terry regards this as both a compliment and confirmation that his artwork conveys to the beholder some of the serene beauty and uniqueness of Australia, it’s people and their cultures that are a continuing source of his insperation.
“I feel that the combination of different cultures helps to break down the cultural barriers.”