David ‘Dids’ Evans
Proud Norfolk Islander - 2023 Archibald entry

Norfolk Islanders are resourceful and resilient people. I was deeply honoured to paint David ‘Dids’ Evans, who perfectly represents this uncompromising spirit.

Dids is real gude sullun, or, in other words: “salt of the earth”. Down-to-earth and creative, he’s a farmer, a fisherman and an artist - a gifted sculptor - who can turn his hand to almost anything including bronzing, woodcarving and inlays.

An Elder and Pitcairn Islander descendant of the Bounty Mutiny, Dids values and celebrates his unique heritage and culture in everything he does; showing respect and love for his ailen hoem (island home). This is what I’ve tried to convey of Dids, painted standing against sea, sky as well as the once barren, Phillip Island, terraformed in recent decades by local environmental intervention, and a symbol of community strength and endurance.