Art gallery breathes new life into Meekatharra’s main strip

Retail investment and development have breathed new life into Meekatharra’s main drag, with one of the plaza’s tenants saying it was a “huge step forward” for Aboriginal people in the town.

Ando Binsiar opened an art gallery and studio in the newly refurbished Lloyd’s Plaza earlier this month.

“So many local people are coming to congratulate me about what I’ve been doing... they’re proud,” he said.

“I choke up just thinking about it.”

To get the business going, he invested in a canvas printer to make copies of his originals to keep the prices affordable.

“Lets just say I am glad I quit my job,” he said, adding that he couldn’t wait for tourist season.

Mr Binsair is a seasoned artist and had his first solo art show 11 years ago, using everything from acrylic paint to airbrushing to paper towels to create art.

He said his art was a way for him to “tell modern Aboriginal stories”.

“(It’s) about being on country and the passing of knowledge from our elders to our young people,” he said.

“It’s the most calming thing I can find.”

Currently, his work is only for sale at the gallery and through his Facebook, Ando Prints. But, he’s setting up a website. He hopes the money he makes can go back into the Buttah Windee Barramundi Farm.

Mr Binsiar praised the Shire and the Meekatharra Aboriginal community for making the retail plaza a success.

He wants more artists to jump on board before tourist season.

A cafe, run by a local Aboriginal young woman, will also open in the plaza in the coming weeks. Mr Binsiar said the town was excited about it.