Shannon Ruska is a well known Brisbane identity, descendant from Yuggera, Nunukul and Yugambeh people of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Owner of Brisbane based company, Tribal Experiences, he has been actively working on sharing his love for Indigenous culture through arts and entertainment for more than 25 years.

He has educated generations of people with his Welcome to Country and other cultural ceremonial performances. Shannon has worked as an advisor to Brisbane City Council, Qantas, QPAC, and many others, and he is also a member of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Indigenous Champions Network.

The unusual perspective of this portrait, with us looking up into the face of sitter, along with rhythmic circular passages of paint surrounding his head, give this image a strong sense of the spiritual.

“I chose to paint Shannon in black and white dots as it evokes a mood and captures his seriousness and earnestness when Welcoming people to Country.” This portrait captures his warmth and generosity of spirit, and also a thoughtful, more contemplative side.