IAN WAS BORN IN DERBY IN 1974. HE GREW UP IN MOWANJUM AND WAS THREE YEARS OLD WHEN THEY MOVED FROM THE OLD MOWANJUM SITE TO WHERE THE COMMUNITY STANDS TODAY. HE WENT TO SCHOOL IN QUEENSLAND, BUT THEN CAME HOME TO DERBY TO SEE FAMILY AND STAYED IN THE KIMBERLEY EVER SINCE. IAN LEARNT TO CARVE PEARL SHELLS ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO FROM PETER CROLL WHO WORKED AT THE ART CENTRE AND ORGANISED MOWANJUM FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR. WHILE HE PAINTS AND MAKES PRINTS AS WELL, HE PREFERS PEARL SHELL CARVING TO OTHER MEDIA.
POLISHING PEARL SHELLS IS A WORRORRA TRADITION, AND THE SHELLS WOULD BE WORN AROUND THE WAIST BY MEN. HOWEVER, THE WAY IAN CARVES THEM IS A NEW TECHNIQUE AND ART FORM, ALTHOUGH HE DRAWS ON OLD STORIES TOLD TO HIM BY HIS GRANDMOTHER FOR INSPIRATION WHEN MAKING A NEW SHELL.
