Reuben Oates lives in the Huon Valley, south of Hobart in Tasmania. His father, Leigh Oates, provided Reuben the inspiration and tools to commence painting in 2004. Living on acreage his whole life surrounded by pasture and bushland helped influence Reuben’s fascination with animals and the land they inhabit.

Reuben is seventh great grandson to tribal warrior, Chief Mannalargenna (Dolly Dalrymple line).

Reuben is a Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist specialising in contemporary depictions of Tasmanian fauna. He paints representations of animals combined with bright and bold colours to tell stories of travel, human interaction, family, community, culture and connection.

Reuben has been a full time artist for over ten years. He mainly works with acrylic on canvas. Reuben also specialises in large scale murals and cultural education through art. He works closely with Catholic Education and DOE to ensure the younger generations have a strong connection and understanding of there ancestral background and culture.

Through his art, Reuben hopes to inspire story telling and encourage others to interpret and find meaning in his art.

He aims to showcase the beauty of nature and the animals within it. He likes to think of his paintings as tributes to Tasmania’s incredible wildlife and landscape.