Writing Mentor: Cherie Johnson

In the vibrant realm of Aboriginal arts and education, one name shines bright: Cherie Johnson.

As the visionary behind Speaking in Colour, Cherie is an esteemed consultant dedicated to uplifting and empowering indigenous communities. Hailing from South Australia and raised on Awabakal country, commonly known as Newcastle, she is an active member of the Awabakal Community, a testament to her deep-rooted connection to her people.

Cherie grew up around nature and the arts. Her mother is a fine artist and a lover of all things natural. This foundation of creativity, nature, heritage and culture became the very essence of who Cherie is today, fuelling her passion and drive to make a lasting impact.

“As a creative person, I’ve always had process diaries as part of my art-making practice, written scripts and imagined worlds,” she says of her love for the arts. “In fact, we would create stories of fantastic characters and worlds all of the time, thinking not much beyond our night routine.”

Cherie acquired a Diploma in Teaching from the University of Newcastle (UoN) in 2006 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Sydney in 2001. Complementing her formal education, she honed her skills in dance through the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA), further enhancing her artistic repertoire.

Beyond her roles as a mother, educator, artist, author, and entrepreneur, Cherie is completing a PhD, delving into the profound subject of "the effects of urban Aboriginal women embracing their culture and its significance in the contemporary context." This research exemplifies her commitment to exploring and understanding the transformative power of cultural reclamation in modern society.

Cherie's expertise as a previous lecturer in Aboriginal culture and education is highly regarded, earning her a position as a casual lecturer at UoN.

An accomplished artist, Cherie's photographic and woven artworks have graced prestigious exhibitions in Perth, Sydney, and her beloved hometown of Newcastle. Moreover, her contributions extend beyond gallery walls, as she has also left her indelible mark through the creation of significant public artworks in Newcastle. This artistic expression serves as a powerful medium to convey her unique perspective and encapsulate the essence of her heritage.

Asked what inspires her, Cherie simply states: “Creation, nature, my dreams, everything in my world. There is no one thing that creates the perfect storm, it’s a factor of many.”

In addition to her artistic endeavors, Cherie dedicates her time and expertise to her business Speaking in Colour, which educates, equips and encourages other businesses and educators to understand and embrace Aboriginal culture. By ensuring the alignment of business success with positive social impact within local communities, she exemplifies her commitment to effecting meaningful change on multiple fronts.

Cherie considers her biggest achievements in life as, “being a mum to two beautiful humans; navigating adulthood on my own; the work we do at Speaking in Colour, and the social impact it has.”

Her unwavering dedication to Aboriginal arts, education, and cultural preservation has established her as an influential force. Through her profound insights, artistic brilliance, and unwavering determination, Cherie continues to shape a brighter and more inclusive future for indigenous communities, leaving a notable legacy for generations to come.

And her advice to any up-and-coming writers? “Write daily - morning and night. Scribble with no hesitation. Pour out your ballads, write letters to yourself. Write a letter as someone else to another person entirely. Speak for the trees. Imagine all the possible perspectives, especially the ones not considered before. Find the joy.”

Written by JACK BAILEY