Peter Farmer Snr. is an award-winning Noongar artist born in Gnowangerup, a small town in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, just east of Katanning. His family descends from several Noongar groups, including the Whadjuk, Minang, Wilman and Wardandi peoples.

He describes his upbringing as semi-traditional, with his family living off the land and not moving into a house until the mid-1970s. Between the ages of eight and seventeen, Peter lived at Marribank Mission, formerly the Carrolup Native Settlement, a site with a complex and significant history within Western Australia.

Peter’s practice is grounded in the belief that art is a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and fostering understanding of language, culture, and belief systems. As both a painter and creator of public artworks, he works extensively across Whadjuk Boodjar and throughout Western Australia, particularly within educational contexts, helping communities engage with and understand deep connections to Country.

His work reflects a profound relationship with land, community, and environment. Guided by the values of his ancestors, Peter believes that all life is interconnected and should be respected and sustained in ways that support the ongoing wellbeing of community.

Through ongoing collaboration, including his professional relationship with Jason Hirst, Peter continues to contribute to the creation of meaningful, place-based works. His deep cultural knowledge and connection to Country inform projects that are not only visually impactful, but also rich in storytelling and significance to each site.