Gaylee DeBree
Kuku Yulanji Artist​

My name is Gaylee and I am a Kuku Yulanji woman and Indigenous artist. My grandmothers’ lineage ties me to the Bloomfield and Rossville areas in Far North Queensland. From as far back as I can remember, painting has always been a big part of my life, but it took a back seat during the child raising years of my life. When my children entered teenage stage and were no longer fully reliant on me, I returned to my love of painting. My paintings have helped me heal through some very dark times in my life and supported a deep sense of emotional connection to my culture and my country. Although I am self-taught with no formal training, I have been able to express my knowledge and my culture through my painting and through the storytelling of my Elders and families. I have developed my own style through a mix of Indigenous heritage and my own personal flair. Bright and bold colours are my choice of palette, as opposed to the traditional earthy tones of Indigenous artistry, however these are still blended into many of my paintings. I enjoy painting whimsical animals such as dragonflies, butterflies and seahorses and this can be seen in many of my latest paintings. So, I have arrived, I have grown, I have learned, and I have accomplished some things. But most of all, I am a proud Indigenous woman determined and at peace with where I am at. I am embarking on a fascinating journey of a curious mind, and I invite you to join me in this adventure.