Michael Scarrott & Guyiwan: An Innovation in Modern Art Makes TUC Its Home

Local Biripi Artist Michael Scarrott shares his story and the story of Guyiwan - the stunning & innovative artwork who has found its home in our new Campus at 2 Pulteney Street, Taree

Mixing paths to make purposeful art

Michael Scarrott left home the first chance he could. No matter that he had supportive people around him, growing up in Western Sydney as an Aboriginal gay teenager was hard, and he longed for change. A creative child, Michael always knew he wanted to be an artist and explore the boundaries of art practice.

While having skills and interest in maths and science, through High School he busied himself studying art and drama and on weekends travelled by train to Sydney to study acting at NIDA. Afterwards, he immediately accepted an offer to study a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Theatre) at the University of Wollongong and made the move down for fresh new start. “I needed to find myself,” Michael said, “and I got confidence through doing that.”

Two years into college life, he deferred his degree and accept a highly sought after placement at Dean Carey’s Actors Centre in Surry Hills. Michael later landed the lead role of Troy, in the stage play “Troys House” by acclaimed playwright Tommy Murphy.

Despite the show enjoying a sell out season in Sydney and touring, and appearing number of commercials, he found very hard to break ground and make a sustained living from the acting profession. It was then Michael turned to his other keen interest, Science.

‘Guyiwan’ shining brightly in the foyer of the TUC Building on Pulteney Street, Taree.

Michael was granted entry to study Marine Science at Sydney University, and just like that a new career lay before him. But these plans were set aside. Why? His mother, in her early 40’s, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Being the eldest child, Michael decided to return home to be with her, support the family and assume the role of Administrator in the family’s struggling crane business.

Naturally, one administrative role led to another, in various sectors, and to enhance his childcare centre management skills, he later completed an Advanced Diploma in Arts online with the University of New England (UNE). Michael expressed his gratitude towards UNE, stating that the flexible model was ideal for his circumstance.

He was able to obtain advanced standing for his previous studies and upon graduation became the first person in his immediate family to complete university qualification. The accomplishment gave him great confidence and opened many doors in his career.

That was until his Biripi grandmother’s passing in 2015 reminded him of life's brevity and the importance of pursuing truly fulfilling experiences. “Her passing became a catalyst for change in my life that totally made me pivot towards my creative process,” Michael said.

Now married and living on the Central Coast, Michael has realised his dream, except he is making art for reasons that have little to do with maintaining an art career. He has become a pioneer of the art world in the process. And this Guyiwan (Grey Nurse Shark) print is proof.

Making art to preserve connection

The print is a much larger version of Michael’s ‘Guyiwan’ wax painting, which his brother and sister-in-law commissioned to help raise funds to digitally enlarge all of the artworks in Michael’s Nature Series — the series Michael started the day his grandmother died.

Michael recounts the story of his Grandmother’s passing, recalling that when he returned home after saying goodbye, despite being sleep-deprived, he immediately took solace in a bushwalk nearby with his close friend. They were greeted by a beautiful raven at the trail’s entrance that guided them to Warrah Lookout. And when Michael sat to enjoy the view, the bird landed directly beside him, sharing in the moment.

“I didn't feel like it was my grandmother; I felt like it was bigger,” Michael said. “…And so that became my inspiration to paint my first painting called ‘Raven.’

I bought all this equipment because I felt like I had to connect with my creative side but also to find a way to have that work reflect my experiences in nature.”

Once home again, with his art new tools at ready, he sat on his deck overlooking the ocean, ready to paint with beeswax. He knew the material, familiar to him as a beekeeper, would produce interesting effects, but still, he sat pondering his subject. Then, a murder of ravens flew across the skyline towards his previous spot at the lookout.

The subject revealed itself, Michael explained.

It was exciting, there was an intense feeling of serendipity. Over the 18 months that followed he captured his experiences in nature in wax while at the same time writing a television script inspired by his grandmothers life.

And no wonder he feels drawn to the colour blue! ‘Raven’ and ‘Guyiwan’ each display a keen use of it, much like the artworks of his Uncle Gordon Syron, another descendent of his Gloucester (Cook) family.

Of course, the shark in ‘Guyiwan’ is quite significant too. It serves to represent the Biripi totem and connect the Biripi people to their culture.

Making art to preserve reality and truth

But for Michael, it also speaks to the preservation issues surrounding the totem animal, in that grey nurse sharks have been widely misunderstood and culled almost to extinction. “I see it as part of my role as a creator to shine a light (literally) on the reality and the truth as I see it,” Michael said.

His Aunty Sue Syron taught him (women uphold important leadership roles in his Biripi family and community) that art is not just about aesthetics but the deeper meanings and stories behind it.

A video presentation by Michael shared at the Campus’ Grand Opening Event in March, 2024.

Making art to preserve Country

The days Michael painted ‘Guyiwan,’ he and his husband were home entertaining family. Making the work come to life in that way was fitting. He planned well ahead for how the silhouettes would work, so he organised his equipment, melted his beeswax and “just did it.”

‘Guyiwan’ was first produced in large format recyclable, chromolux metal panel and showcased on Country at Gloucester Regional Art Gallery over NAIDOC.

Michael had already started his Glow Sky Media business in honour of his grandmother, through a quest to produce a glowing star chart as a tribute. His discoveries evolved into the innovative print technology used to showcase Guyiwan for the TUC installation. Rare earth photoluminescent pigments , illuminate the printed graphic shown in the floating, diamond-polished acrylic, luminescent panel.

“Because it’s respecting nature, the eco elements are always really important,” Michael said about his art. So important, that he has sought to establish Australian manufacturing annd export capability for premium recyclable photoluminescent material. To achieve this, he entered the Monash University National Indigenous Innovation Challenge – and won.

He is currently working with Monash University to achieve his goal to establish sovereign manufacturing and export capability. Photoluminescent materials are widely used around the world and often destined for landfill, so investing in an eco production model will be of great value.

“I really love my works to be a reflection of my personal values, but also to have them placed in places where I know they’re going to be appreciated — that’s kind of like the dream!”

— Michael Scarrott

Michael considers it a great honour for his artwork to be selected to showcase the Biripi totem, on Country, for his community, celebrating our continuing culture. He hopes Guyiwan will shine bright at TUC for years to come, inspiring students and visitors alike, to dream big, go for it, whatever that may be for them.