Living in two worlds.

With intentional, incremental, directional movement to dismantle, deconstruct, connect and reconfigure aspects of life to shift perception, cause action and create a dialogue between both worlds.

Inspired by both street and country environments, nature and urban landscapes, his people and his lived experience.

Shane Cook is a proud Wulli Wulli and Koa (Guwa) man with many family connections throughout Queensland.

Shane was born on Kaurna Yerta (Kaurna Country/Adelaide). He has successfully followed in the footsteps, of many ancestors who were also artists and retraced family bloodlines that were lost for many years due to colonisation.

Shane’s practice as an artist began from a young age learning to paint from his mother, his interests then developed further into graffiti culture, murals and tattooing as he got older. These art movements are hugely prominent in Shane’s unique contemporary style he has developed which has led him to becoming a nationally recognised artist.

Shane was named Mankitya which translates to ‘the scarred one’ by his Kaurna family and Elders.

Community development has been an essential part of Shane career. He is a family member of Kuma Kaaru who provide cultural services for community. He has created programs such as Street Dreamz Community Arts, First Nations Jiu Jitsu and most recently opened Second Nature Aus Studio where he shares his knowledge with young people and devotes time to many other community-based initiatives.