Is Don, Is Good

For 30 years, thousands have engaged the services of Don Whyte Framing, trusting no other to frame and preserve their cherished artworks and heirlooms. Well, folks, the day has come to hand his beloved biz over.

Tierney White caught up with him for a special exit interview, as he reflects on the last three decades and acknowledges the community that – like his framed works – has wrapped around him with love.

Thanks for the yarn, Don. Big news. Tell me a bit about how it all began! 

In 1996 is when we opened this shop, so that’s 28 years ago. Prior to that, in about 1994, I started working for different communities because I saw a need to help them with framing and freight et cetera, and they were keen as mustard to do exactly the same thing. I had a patron in the early days, Susan Spunner, and she just kept on giving me work, which was pretty neat because that was how I started. But my very first customer was Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka in Yirrkala.

Oh, wow. And they’re still going strong and you’re still framing their work these days. 

Yeah, we just sent a big exhibition to New York which we organised with them, which is super cool, that’s it’s moved that far, it’s really, really good.

That’s amazing. And when you say communities, you mean remote communities? 

Yes, early days, I just marketed my services towards remote communities because I thought there were enough people in town doing it. And gradually, after we had opened the shopfront, the other communities came. It’s an amazing thing because you’re doing good things for people, and when they see it, they like it. It’s a good feeling.

Yeah, lovely. And your work is not just about having something framed, it’s about preserving very, very cherished items. A lot of people really trust you to keep their treasures safe for a very long time. 

Yeah, and it doesn’t have to be an artwork, it could be a photo of grandma, or your first ticket to a concert [laughs].

Exactly. Everyone’s treasure is different. So, what’s the journey been like? 

When I look at the old photos and how we all used to be, and how we had to invent things, and it’s a bit of a Territory thing. I would go down south, to visit people like the new owner, we would spend time together and we would show each other stuff. And it is not as if I couldn’t show them things as well, you know, we developed our own skill set for where we lived.

The old “we’ll make it work”. Any outrageous clients or interesting jobs you care to share?

Hmm. Interesting clients? I have. We’ve done a few skulls and different things, but part of being in the privileged position I am is not giving too much away!

[Laughs]. Our secrets are safe with Don Whyte! And so, your decision to sell, what’s the motive behind that?

I wanna go camping in the Dry season, and I wanna do a bit of bushwalking, and it’s time to slow down. I do believe that the new owners will take it to another level, like they have in other places, and I’m gonna be here to help facilitate that. But I’m going to have a bit more time off. I’m going to practice my communication skills! I’ve always wanted to be rude to people, so I’ll go out of my way to practice those skills [laughs].

[Laughs]. Well, it’s always a delight to pop into your store and get a bit of Don Whyte humour flung your way. Not many people can get away with that but you, sir, are an exception! Can you tell us about the new owners? 

The new owners are Chapman Bailey from Alice Springs and Melbourne, and they’re going to take over – still running it under Don Whyte Framing – and they’re going to bring in some new skills to us, which is great. It does feel good for me, and the staff are staying on, so nothing is changing radically.

What would you say to your customers, clients, community, et al, as you exit the building? 

I’ve had a very, very privileged life in this room, because I’ve seen some of the most amazing things. And the amount of talent, the amazing people that I’ve worked with, and the staff that I’ve worked with … they’ve all left something behind, I’m grateful to all of them.

And the customer base is fantastic, they’ve been a pleasure to work with, it’s been great. And the communities. Wow, you know? Some of them have grown into huge things and some of them are still exactly the same as when they started, but working with those people, it’s always been a good experience, and I really can say that honestly.

And none of this could have happened without [my wife Belinda] throwing me out of the house, and telling me I had to get a shed and go to work! Which is true, that’s a true thing. [laughs]

Thanks, Belinda – we all appreciate it [laughs]. And you’ve given so much back to the iconic annual Off Cuts exhibition, raising money for various charities over the years. 

There should be about 1400 of them out there. I think it was 2006 when we started it. I’m not sure how much money we’ve raised overall, but it would be well over $100,000 … I found an Off Cut in the Northern Territory Art Awards recently, I have found them in shows at MAGNT, they’ve been in shows in CDU Art Gallery, they’ve travelled all around the world, those things.

[Recently], I went to a birthday party, and in the hallway was a whole little gallery of Off Cuts … and they are fantastic. Just seeing them again, we’ve got amazing artists living in this town and it’s a cool, cool community.

It sure is. Thank you for your service, sir. On behalf of Off The Leash and your many happy customers, we wish you all the very best.

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