Creative talents: Echuca artist Kahlea Spiby with one of the racquets she handpainted to present at the Australian Open.
Proud Wurundjeri artist Kahlea Spiby had the phenomenal opportunity to hand-paint tennis racquets gifted to winners and finalists of this year’s Australian Open.
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Ms Spiby, 18, met the Australian Open women’s singles winner Aryna Sabalenka and runner-up Elena Rybakina, and presented them with a winning gift, a hand-painted tennis racquet.
The national event has jump-started the Echuca artist’s career.
“I thought that it was such an incredible opportunity,” Ms Spiby said.
“When I first started, I wasn’t expecting anything.
“I’ve been getting so many commissions I’ve had to stop taking them.”
Talent: One of the tennis racquets with Kahlea Spiby’s art.
Ms Spiby dedicated almost eight hours to hand-painting her first tennis racquet for the Australian Open.
Her commitment to her craft saw the artist produce intricate artworks on the tennis racquets.
“If it’s not as intricate you’re not going to need to spend as much time on it,” Ms Spiby said.
“The thing I enjoy about being an artist is that there are no rules.
“You can literally create anything.”
The artist had her own painting station set up at the Australian Open where she used acrylic paints and Posca paint pens for her work.
“I had a table set up on the stairs to Margaret Court Arena,” Ms Spiby said.
Ms Spiby first realised her talent during high school when she created her first Indigenous painting.
Rising star: Echuca artist Kahlea Spiby has produced an array of works such as this.
“Ever since I can remember I’ve always loved drawing and art,” Ms Spiby said.
“The style of art I do, it’s Aboriginal art mixed with my own style.
“A lot of my pieces are open to interpretation.”
Ms Spiby’s art style is inspired by land and nature, and she often features symbolism in her paintings.
Ms Spiby is part of Anglicare Victoria’s Baldau Yioohgen Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy.
The leadership program is a supportive partner of Tennis Australia, who noticed Ms Spiby’s artistic flair at the National Tennis Indigenous Carnival in August 2022 and reached out to her.
“It caught some attention,” Ms Spiby said.
“It was a great opportunity to put my name out there and be recognised.
“I definitely got the recognition that I was hoping for.”
Ms Spiby started taking her art more seriously in 2020 when she sold her first painting to the Njernda Aboriginal Co-Op Family Services building.
She has since commissioned a painting to Anglicare Victoria and commissioned painted tennis racquets at the Australian Open.
“Once I kept selling paintings, I realised it could be more than a hobby,” Ms Spiby said.
“I want my art to be able to help people, to tell a story, and raise awareness.
“People need to be aware of the issues still taking place.”
Ms Spiby wants to educate people and raise awareness of the Indigenous issues of today, using her love for art as a vehicle for change.
“I’ve loved art my whole life,” Ms Spiby said.
“Art tells a story and it’s so much more than just a painting.
“It’s led me to so many places and to meet so many amazing people.”
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