TigerLilly, Jamahl Pollard
Riverland artist Jamahl Pollard was born with a rare eye condition. He is completely blind in his right eye and has only 6.4% sight in his left eye. Medical science predicted he would be totally blind at the age of 10 but as fate would have it he still has his sight ….. and an emerging career as a visual artist.
Jamahl won first prize for the recent Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show, Artist with a disability category, for his piece “TigerLilly”.
Art has always played a role in Jamahl’s life but it has only been in recent years that he has thought of becoming an artist full time as mainstream work was hard to find. Living in the Riverland has enabled Jamahl to practice his craft and he now runs art classes from his home in Berri.
Jamahl’s work has exhibited in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales and he has won several awards. He has received 6 awards in the last 18 months at the Port Adelaide Rotary Art Show (2013 and 2014), Campbelltown Rotary Art Show (2012 & 2013), Royal Adelaide Show (2013) and the Loxton Show (2013). He’s also had a short film made about his work.
Jamahl says “I’d like to think that my work is a way for people to focus on what a person with a disability can achieve”.
Country Arts SA pays respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their continuing connection and spiritual relationship to these lands, waters and skies. We are committed to listening and helping care for Country, and to safeguard, share and celebrate First Nations’ living cultures.