Collecting Bush Bananas

Size of painting: 32cm x 36cm

Framed (white)

Reggie Sultan: Artist Biography

Born: July 6, 1955, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
Language Group: Kaytetye (Kaytja), Arandic Language Bloc
Region: Central Desert, Barrow Creek, Northern Territory
Skin Name: Apengarte
Cultural Background: Kaytetye Aboriginal and Afghan descent

Reggie Sultan is a distinguished Aboriginal artist from the Kaytetye people of the Barrow Creek region in Central Australia, his mother’s country. Born in Alice Springs in 1955, he is of mixed Aboriginal and Afghan heritage, with his father descending from the respected Afghan camel drivers who helped construct the railway line from Marree to Oodnadatta to Alice Springs in the early 20th century. Raised alongside his seven brothers and six sisters in the Northern Territory, Reggie’s early life was shaped by a blend of cultural influences and a deep connection to the desert landscape.

Sultan’s artistic journey began in his youth at the Alice Springs Convent School, where he won numerous art awards. However, his true education in painting came from observing senior artists along the Todd River and Chinaman’s Creek, near Alice Springs. Inspired by the renowned Hermannsburg School and Albert Namatjira’s watercolor landscapes, Reggie initially adopted a similar style, capturing the vibrant hues of the Central Australian terrain. His early works, often sold at local mission stores, depicted the ranges, gorges, and flora of his homeland.

After spending his young adulthood working as a station hand and fencer on cattle stations, Reggie transitioned to a full-time professional artist in 1985. Seeking to distinguish himself from the prevalent dot painting style of the time, he developed a signature technique characterized by leaf stencils and speckled, splotchy backgrounds, often using acrylics on canvas with a matte finish. His paintings incorporate traditional Aboriginal symbols to convey stories of hunting, gathering bush tucker, and cultural practices rooted in his mother’s country around Barrow Creek and Neutral Junction. Notable themes include his celebrated Bush Tucker Gathering series and Seven Sisters Dreaming, which draws on the Milky Way and desert sky narratives.

Sultan’s work has gained significant recognition, with solo exhibitions in Darwin and participation in the National Aboriginal Art Awards. His art is sought after by collectors, tourists, and galleries along the Stuart Highway between Alice Springs and Darwin. Beyond painting, Reggie has explored diverse mediums, including decorative didgeridoos, murals, and works on fabric and paperbark. His paintings reflect a fusion of traditional and contemporary elements, blending Kaytetye stories with his personal experiences in the bush.

Reggie has also authored two books: An Uncontrollable Child, a memoir detailing his challenging early years in state care, and The Seven Sisters, which explores the cultural significance of the Pleiades constellation in desert lore. Now based in Darwin, Reggie Sultan continues to create evocative works that celebrate his heritage and the enduring beauty of Central Australia’s landscapes and traditions.