And one of the leading lights in the way artists are using emerging technologies is Bomaderry’s Aroha Groves, one of 10 artists Australia-wide invited to attend a workshop conducted by the Australian Centre of Virtual Arts.

The invitation was the second high-level acknowledgment of Ms Groves’ artistic skills, after she was recently named as a finalist in the NSW Parliament Aboriginal Art Prize, for a piece that is currently touring NSW as part of an exhibition.

“It’s been a real acknowledgment for me and what I’m doing, a great validation,” Mr Groves said.

“It’s a nice way of people saying there is value in what I’m doing.”

Ms Groves has created spectacular, three-dimensional computer imagery using cutting edge technology that is expanding the horizons of what can be described as artistic expression.

Even more amazing is the fact Ms Groves is entirely self-taught.

She became interested in the new programs about two and a half years ago while doing some installations, and since then had been exploring what programs were on offer, and their full applications.

The result is detailed pictures heavy in Aboriginal imagery, utilising symbols common within Aboriginal art and culture.

“I’m always thinking about who I am and where I’m from,” Ms Groves said.

“I’m trying to play with the notions of what art is but I do believe it’s important to keep it black as well.”

Several pieces created by Ms Groves can be found on youtube, while she has also managed to cross the boundary between the virtual and the real worlds.

The sculpture for which she was made a finalist in the NSW Parliament prize was firstly created in the virtual world, before being turned into something solid that could be handled and seen by all.

In Ms Groves’ previous work as an artist she frequently made pots, and those feature strongly in her virtual work.

She saw the technology changing quickly, moving into full three-dimensional imagery and even holograms.

“This is cutting edge, this is where the future is heading,” Ms Groves said.

“I think this really does have commercial applications.”

That will be one of the things discussed during the three-day workshop being held later this month at Melbourne’s Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and organised by the Australian Centre of Virtual Arts, part of the Australia Council for the Arts.