Thelma Beeton

Thelma is a strong, proud Palawa-Trinvana-Djilang-Wadawurrung woman with kinship to Taungurung, and a direct descendant of Mannalargenna the Lutruwitan leader and warrior. Thelma was born on Djilang-Wadawurrung country but grew up on Wamba Wamba, LatjiLatji, Tatti Tatti, Wadi Wadi and Barapa Barapa country (Swan Hill/Murray River, Victoria).

Most of Thelma's work is inspired by her totem, the Lutruitan (Tas) Emu. She first started creating work with The Torch in 2016 and has developed a unique and contemporary painting style using bold and colorful backgrounds with depictions of her emu totem.

Thelma has exhibited in many group exhibitions since 2016. She was the recipient of The Torch's Dennis Thorpe Award in 2020 and in 2021 exhibited at Dark Mofo, in The Tench curated by Theia Connell.