Gonketa (also known as Jaybob Campbell or his sign name, “Tall”) is a visual artist and illustrator based in Melbourne/Naarm. Born profoundly Deaf, Gonketa works primarily in his first language, Auslan. His work focuses on hands, painted in bold lines and colours, focusing on exaggerated expressions, all fundamental in non-verbal communication.
Gonketa’s work is influenced by the style of Keith Haring and aims to raise awareness and represent the Deaf community. It offers both a Deaf perceptive and Hearing perspective; offering deeper meaning to those who understand Auslan. His work has appeared at Moomba Festival, on animated Youtube search banners and large scale murals in Melbourne’s CBD.
Gonketa is leader in the Deaf community, advocating for greater awareness and accessibility. He serves on the board of the Deaf Arts Residency and was named Deaf Australian of the Year in 2021.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, Gonketa discusses accessibility to education in Auslan, transitioning into the street art genre and how he pushes his artistic boundaries.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
G’day! I’m Jaycob, also known as Gonketa in the art world. Painting is my passion, and I’ll use any canvas, from paper to giant walls. My sign name is “Tall,” reflects both my height and my love for art. Whether it’s with a brush or pen, creating art is what I do best.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
I am addicted to drawing; I can never seem to stop. Whether it’s a serious job interview or any other situation, you’ll still find me drawing. I studied illustration at various universities, but it didn’t work out well due to accessibility issues. Eventually, influenced by my friends, I embraced a career as a street artist later in life.
Where did you grow up and how has it influenced your practice?
I grew up on the north side of Melbourne, attending both Deaf school and mainstream schools. In that area, there was a lot of graffiti, which always piqued my curiosity, though it was considered taboo at the time. I didn’t have many friends who shared my interest in art until I joined an illustration course. It just clicked for me and put me in the right position. However, there was a strong English language culture. I felt that the world needed more Deaf representation and Auslan.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been a highlight so far?
The highlights of my art career so far would be painting a giant mural in Melbourne CBD for Flash Forward and having a big exhibition at Benalla. These two experiences will always be treasured, but I’m not stopping for a minute now!
Tell us about your current project?
For now, I’m focusing on my website, www.gonketa.com. Hopefully, soon I’ll release new merchandise, posters, etc., and participate in group shows in 2024. I’m also chasing more walls in Melbourne, as I’ve recently moved back from Geelong after 2 years. I’m looking forward to this new chapter!
Who or what inspires your practice?
I’m part of a crew called .MPG, and I find constant inspiration and support from my crewmates, Movas and Pkingas. They keep me in the loop and continually inspire me to push my artistic boundaries.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
I feel most creative when I have a pen in my right hand and a piece of paper on the table. If I ever feel stuck, I’ll take my dog, Nori the Red Heeler, for a walk of over 5 km. I also find myself experiencing bursts of creativity at unexpected times, like when I’m in a boring meeting.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
I enjoy drawing or painting hands, which symbolise my first language, but I also aim to raise awareness and educate those who are unaware of Auslan and the existence of the Deaf community in Melbourne and around the world. The Deaf community has been advocating for many years for our human rights to accessibility and education in Auslan. Unfortunately, doctors and health experts have often neglected us, attempting to “fix” our ears to fit in with the “normal” culture of hearing people. This neglect instills fear in us that advancements in technology or science may lead to our extinction by finding a “cure.” In response to this, I aim to paint more, leaving a legacy behind so that they will remember us. The Deaf community has always been a part of history, and I hope to ensure that our contributions are never forgotten. I also hope to inspire people to learn Auslan, and I aspire to see more Deaf artists emerging in the future!
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I’m currently learning how to tattoo, and I’m really looking forward to diving into that art form. Additionally, I’m part of the DAR (Deaf Arts Residency) board, which consists of seven Deaf artists, all based in Melbourne. Our goal is to organise a group show that addresses Deaf issues from around the world. We’re excited to use our platform to raise awareness and advocate for the Deaf community through our art.
Where can we find and follow you online?
You can find me at www.gonketa.com and follow me on Instagram: @gonketa_.
Thank you for reading.
