Melbourne, 22 June 2013 | tennis.com.au

Sixteen-year-old Chern’ee Sutton officially handed over four commissioned Indigenous paintings to Tennis Australia in Bundaberg, Queensland on Thursday 20 June 2013.

“I feel very honoured and very proud that I have had the opportunity to design these paintings for Tennis Australia, which will be displayed nation-wide,” said Chern’ee.

Tennis Australia is proud to work in association with Chern’ee to use and reproduce her beautiful artwork across national Indigenous tennis initiatives.

“Each painting took five to seven days to complete … I created two traditional painting called ‘My Country’ and ‘United Australia’ and two contemporary paintings named ‘Tennis’ and ‘The Game’, explained Chern’ee.

National Indigenous Coach Ian Goolagong accepted the artwork on behalf of Tennis Australia.

In recognition for her talent, Chern’ee was presented with a scholarship by Tennis Australia in partnership with the Department of Education and Employment and Workplace Relations to support her ongoing art education.

“I feel very privileged to receive a scholarship … It will go towards my education in the arts and towards equipment and courses I plan to do next year, which includes graphic design,” said Chern’ee.

“I would love to be able to do computer design, which I can incorporate into my artwork. Plus I would like to be able to paint portraits and improve my art overall.”

> Learn more about Tennis Australia’s Indigenous programs