Jack Anselmi’s earliest memories are of his father painting emu eggs, but it was not until a workplace injury forced him to give up his job as a sheet metal worker that art became a central part of his life.
‘‘I remember being given an achievement award when I was a Grade 6 student at Moree Primary School for a big drawing I did about our lives as travellers,’’ Mr Anselmi said.
He still has his little achievement certificate given to him more than 40 years ago.
Mr Anselmi was born in Mooroopna to English and indigenous parents, who travelled a lot when he was younger.
He reckons he owes his artistic streak to his indigenous father and Italian grandfather.
‘‘My grandad used to make little wooden carts and I remember my dad painting emu eggs,’’ he said.
He remembers making wood carvings in his parents’ shed as a child, but did not produce much art during his years as a steel worker.
As a young man he enjoyed several seasons as a rover and back pocket player for Mooroopna Football Club.
His team won three premierships in a row in the 1980s.
But his footy career was cut short when he copped a blow to the head which left him with concussion.
He said he still suffers from short-term memory loss.
Then, in the early 1990s, when shoulder injuries forced him to stop work — he discovered a passion for creativity.
‘‘I was looking for something to do. You have to do something with your life otherwise you go mad,’’ he said.
When the Kaiela Institute opened a small shop and gallery in Corio St, Shepparton, about 20 years ago, Mr Anselmi became a big contributor.
He soon found his walking sticks, clap sticks, armbands and didgeridoos were selling well.
Today Mr Anselmi’s self-taught talents have increased remarkably.
Even though his real name is Craig — he has lived up to his nick name as a jack-of-all-trades.
He has several pieces on display in Kaiela Arts’ High St showroom, which include works in raku clay, pen and ink and polished and carved wood.
Much of his work contains indigenous motifs from animals and the natural world — lizards, snakes, turtles, water and plants.
‘‘I like working in clay and wood — I like to find something in there, make it come alive,’’ he said.
‘‘You surprise yourself at times.
‘‘I reckon my ancestors give me the strength to create.’’
His sold works have travelled across Australia and even overseas.
A visiting Irish politician took one of Mr Anselmi’s walking sticks back to the Emerald Isle. He received a thank-you letter which he cherishes.
A highlight of his artistic career was a collaboration with fellow Kaiela Arts artist Cynthia Hardie.
Their installation called Midden depicted layers of history with delicate bones and shells made from raku clay and clay from the banks of the Kaiela (Goulburn) River.
The piece scooped the prestigious $20000 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award from Shepparton Art Museum in 2016.
Mr Anselmi’s confidence has grown since he went public with his art at Kaiela.
He now holds talks and workshops in schools and at Goulburn Valley Health.
He is also always on the lookout for something new — either techniques or materials.
His next project is rubbing out shapes from a charcoal base on paper.
‘‘I like being different. Stories are the winner, people always look for the story,’’ he said.
Several works are now on sale at Kaiela Arts’ Out of the Stock Room Sale at 137-139 High St.