Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this vale contains the name and photographs of a person who has died.  

Creative Australia honours the life and legacy of Uncle Rex Greeno, Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder and artist, whose work reawakened and preserved vital traditions of Palawa canoe-making and storytelling through art.

Uncle Rex grew up immersed in sea life and cultural practice, learning from his grandfather Silas “Daa” Mansell and his mother Aunty Dulcie Greeno, a renowned shell necklace maker. His deep connection to the sea shaped a four-decade career as a commercial fisherman and later inspired his cultural and artistic work.

Uncle Rex is widely recognised for reintroducing the making of traditional Tasmanian Aboriginal bark and reed canoes, known as tuylini, ninga and pyerre. Drawing on historical research and his own experience as a shipwright, he built vessels that merged cultural knowledge with technical mastery. His canoes are held in national collections and celebrated for their beauty, buoyancy and cultural significance.

In recent years, Uncle Rex returned to drawing, creating works that depicted pre-colonial and early contact stories of Tasmanian Aboriginal life. His solo exhibition Memories through Sea Stories at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in 2024 marked a historic moment, as the first solo exhibition by a Tasmanian Aboriginal man at the institution. His work was supported through national collections and exhibitions, and his legacy continues to influence artists across the country.

Franchesca Cubillo, Executive Director, First Nations Arts and Culture, shares:  

“Uncle Rex Greeno was a masterful cultural practitioner whose work embodied the strength and creativity of the Palawa people. His revival of traditional canoe-making and his storytelling through art have left a profound legacy. He was deeply respected across our communities and institutions, and his contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.”

Creative Australia extends its deepest condolences to our friend Aunty Lola Greeno, Rex’s family, and community. We honour his extraordinary life and the enduring impact of his work.

Vale Uncle Rex Greeno
1942 – 2025