Shane Mankitya Cook also known as Kooka is a proud Wulli Wulli and Guwa (Koa) descendant from Queensland. Shane has been adopted by and was named Mankitya which translates to “the scarred one” by the local Aboriginal Kaurna community in Adelaide, South Australia and more specifically mentored by Jack Buckskin of Kuma Kaaru, who Shane has had the opportunity to dance internationally with.
Shanes practice as an artist began from a young age learning traditional painting from his mother, his interests then developed further into graffiti culture, street art 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’s works of art know no material boundaries from working on canvas, to participating in street art festivals, artist exchanges internationally and creating large scale murals. He has designed Indigenous Round football guernseys for AFL and multiple SANFL teams. Painted over 50 players boots for the AFL Sir Douglas Nicholls Round and also created artwork for Anthony Mundine to be used for one of his last boxing fight kits.