Indigenous artist Esme Timbery dies aged 92

Renowned Indigenous artist Esme Timbery has died aged 92.

The Bidjigal artist was known for her intricate sea shell art, which she made from shells she collected from beaches in New South Wales. 

Her career spanned more than 80 years and her award-winning art was displayed in galleries across Australia and the world. 

She won the Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize in 2005 for her work with a Sydney Harbour Bridge theme. 

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) paid tribute to her lifetime of work in 2019 by naming its theatre after her. 

Timbery spoke of how honoured she was by the move at the time, saying: ‘I hope that having my name displayed publicly on this building will inspire our young people to follow their dreams at university, particularly in the arts, for years to come.’

UNSW sent a message of condolence after the artist’s death was announced. 

‘Esme Timbery shared the magic of shellwork with all of us and UNSW was delighted she allowed us to name a building in her honour,’ a spokesman said.

The Bidjigal artist was known for her intricate sea shell art, which she made from shells she collected from beaches in New South Wales 

Timbery was born in Port Kembla in 1931 and followed in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, Queen Emma Timbery, who had displayed her shell art work in London in 1910.

Esme Timbery spent much of her life in La Perouse in Sydney in a community of elders.

She died at a nursing home on Friday.