Since establishing my art studio in September 2022, my journey as an Indigenous artist and small business owner has been nothing short of remarkable. The influx of opportunities & the level of recognition I have received within such a short amount of time feels surreal. I've met so many amazing people & worked on so many exciting projects it keeps me constantly energised and inspired.
I have sold over 300 paintings including 100 private & commercial commissions, received several awards, secured international contracts and travelled across Australia for my work within only 12 months of starting my business. Strangers come up to me in public to tell me they love my art & people even have my designs as tattoos!
I was chosen by a panel of judges as the winner of the Carclew Creative Achievement Award in the 2024 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards.
I was awarded the People's Choice Award in the Malka Aboriginal Art Prize for my work "Munda" & a NAIDOC Youth Award for my commitment to culture.
I have performed live paintings for hundreds of BHP staff at the Olympic Dam and Oak Dam mine site and they have also licensed my designs to apply to their new PPE uniforms and as vinyl wall wraps for their village and applied to concrete bollards which protect heritage sites,
Kokatha Mining Services have commissioned a digital artwork from me which they have had applied to their new lab courier truck!
I am the artist behind SA Power Networks first Reconciliation Action Plan (one of the largest employers in South Australia) and my designs are now featured on their trucks!
I have just been selected as the chosen artist from a pool of exceptionally talented and highly experienced artists to design the artwork for the NDIS Commission's Reconciliation Action Plan, my first contract with the Australian Government!
One of my biggest contracts to date was for international infrastructure corporation, AECOM who commissioned and licensed an exclusive internal 6 metre mural design and a framed artwork for their new office space on the 18th floor of RAA Place in Adelaide.
GPC Asia Pacifc (Repco) commissioned me to create the artwork for their for their First Nations Strategic Plan.
I was approached by Compass Group Australia to design the artwork which will be used for their internal Pride Month celebrations.
One of my first collaborations with another small business is now running at full steam with my designs being printed onto school, workplace and sports team uniforms in bulk thanks to Spida Custom Apparel.
My paintings are hung in countries all over the world, inlcluding the headquarters of Enterprise Rent-A-Car in St Louis, Missouri a representation of Australia in their display which features traditional art from each nation in which they operate.
Other businesses to licence my art include RTC Group to promote their new maintenance contract with Housing SA, Peter Teakle Wines who have commissioned an exclusive wine label design for a new range of wines, Aspiring Futures SA who have their logo incorporated into a piece, Supportie who have used artworks extracts to create their business logo, Iluka Resources who have had one of my digital designs printed onto huge aluminum sheets to be installed in their outdoor staff area, Saree Selections who licensed my designs for a limited edition range of Indian Sarees in honour of Reconciliation Week and the 2023 Voice to Parliament Yes campaign, Eyre Eye Centre who had an artwork installed within their practice and Cummins "Our Town" who used my art to promote a mental health campaign.
My artwork was accepted into the OUR MOB Exhibition hosted by the Adelaide Festival Centre.
I was selected as one of eight artists to be hosted by Ku Arts at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair which was an amazingly inspirational experience being able to be fully immersed in and celebrating my culture.
My first exhibition was held at Peter Teakle Wines Line & Label Restaurant and completely sold out. My second exhibition is to be held at Jacob's Creek cellar door.
I have been featured in local media on multiple occasions for my achievements. The first major news story written about me & my work was titled "Connecting with the Earth by Walking Barefoot in Nature" by InDaily has been voted as one of the most popular Regional News stories and was nominated for the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 Solstice Media Regional Showcase Awards.
Other major news stories published about my work include an article by the National Indigenous Times Style Up titled "First Nations artist Presten Warren on career growth, artistic expression and championing Indigenous culture", an article by Visit Gay Australia, a national network of tourism professionals and information provider dedicated to the welfare of LGBTQIA+ travellers within Australia titled "Local Queer Icons – Emerging Aboriginal Artist Presten Warren" and an article by Bluethumb, an art collector website titled "Rising Stars to Watch in 2024".
One of my first pride themed artworks was recently on display at Westfield Marion within a glass case with a huge floor decal to match the design.
I have just begun working with Art Pharmacy & Sugar Glider Digital to animate my artworks and one animation is currently being displayed at 80 Collins Melbourne.
I cannot wait to show you what happens next!