Athol Farmer was born in Gnowangerup in 1960 and completed all of his schooling there. He later worked on farms in the Gnowangerup region. Athol said he has always been interested in art and painting and the main influences on his art have been well-known Noongar artists Rebel Cooper and Bella Kelly. "Their influence made me want to paint, but it wasn't until 1990 when I joined the TAFE art course in Katanning that I got really serious about doing art," Athol said. In 1992 he had his first solo exhibition in Katanning. Then in 1993, he was the artist in residence at the Hay Street Perth Gallery. From 1994 onwards, Athol produced and sold art to local and international buyers and established outlets for his art in Perth and the regions. Athol has worked as the TAFE art lecturer in Katanning from 1998 through to 1999, and he is now the Manager of Noongar Moorditj, the cultural and art products section of the Southern Aboriginal Corporation. | 
